As part of our 2019 NAIDOC Week celebrations, we're looking back on some of the highlights of our involvement within the Indigenous community.
The East Coast Passage & Maritime Program was a specialised course facilitated by qualified Maritime trainers which saw 11 young Indigenous men set sail along the East Coast of Australia gaining Maritime qualifications by completing two industry-specific courses as well as practical training on board the Coral Trekker
In April 2018, PeoplePlus teamed up with our friends at Tribal Warrior and Babana Aboriginal Men's Group to lead this program. These men who come from some of the toughest backgrounds and challenges embarked on a life-changing journey – an adventure with the aim of resulting in jobs.
Providing the training onboard the Coral Trekker was Tribal Warrior, who was established by concerned Aboriginal people to spread and vitalise Aboriginal culture and to provide economic and social stability through quality training for employment skills. Their programs have successfully trained many Australians who have gone on to gain employment on boats around Sydney Harbour, along with many who have gone on to careers in the offshore industry.
Tribal Warrior is also the only Indigenous Maritime Training Company operating within Australia, with all courses facilitated by qualified Maritime trainers.
The crew of keen on board the Coral Trekker travelled along the East Coast for two weeks to their destination at Magnetic Island in Far North Queensland with program participants also completing a Certificate I and Certificate II in Maritime Operations.
Participants also gained valuable hands-on training learning navigation, radio operation, engine maintenance, teamwork, and boat maintenance. These fantastic group of candidates showed incredible desire and determination to kick-start their careers in the Maritime Industry.
Upon return of the voyage, PeoplePlus were thrilled to hear that Mal Quigg, who was instrumental in the organisation of this program, was nominated for – and subsequently won – the Innovation in Indigenous Employment Award at the National Employment Services Association (NESA) Awards for Excellence gala.
Mal successfully established working relationships with our proud community partners, which have combined innovative methods of combining skills, education, and training for participants.
Mal's achievement - which recognises employment services professionals and organisations who find work for Indigenous Australians - capped off an excellent year for our involvement within the Indigenous community, which included several job placements for Indigenous job seekers who are currently employed in the maritime industry, as a result of the training and qualifications gained from our East Coast Passage & Maritime Program.
PeoplePlus Executive Chairman, Con Kittos shared his delight with the outcome of the Tribal Warrior program and Mal's achievements in the Indigenous community.
"If you know Mal, you know how he is a man of dedication and integrity and that he is second to none when it comes to the work he does with our Indigenous Brothers and Sisters.
"Mal is a very worthy recipient, and I am honoured to call him a colleague," Mr Kittos said.
Voice. Treaty. Truth. How PeoplePlus is working towards a shared future
PeoplePlus is proud to be involved in NAIDOC Week 2019, held from Sunday 7 July to Sunday 14 July.
Our organisation's values include respect, integrity and commitment, and we take this into our work, helping Indigenous Australians into employment and training every day.
For more information on NAIDOC Week, visit www.naidoc.org.au
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