Indigenous graduates eye long term job prospects

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Indigenous graduates eye long-term job prospects

supplied by Melanie Petrinec 24 November 2013

S

t George father-of-three Daniel Blades admits being away from his family was tough but says completing Arrow Energy’s Whanu Binal program and securing a full-time job was worth it.

Daniel Blades with the painting he gave to Arrow Energy. Image supplied

Whanu Binal prepares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for work in the resource sector, and on 6 November in Toowoomba, Mr Blades and 10 of his peers from the Surat region graduated from the program. The 29-year-old stayed in

Toowoomba to complete the 12week program which includes accredited construction training, cultural training and vocational work placement. Mr Blades said it was a major career stepping stone which helped him secure a full-time job as a

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labourer with construction company Silverstrand. “I am really thankful for the opportunity and all the help given to me,” Mr Blades said. “It is a big opportunity and great for the resume. “The trainers spoke in a manner you understood... they know where you are coming from.” Mr Blades is also a talented artist and a painting he gave Arrow to show his gratitude was on display at the graduation ceremony in Toowoomba. Arrow Energy CEO Andrew Faulkner said Whanu Binal delivered training programs to Indigenous people in Arrow’s areas of operation and the initiative was proving successful with 15 people graduating from a course in Gladstone and Bundaberg earlier this year. “It is wonderful to see so many people participating in the Whanu Binal program and the job opportunities and prospects that have followed as well as the benefits that flow onto the community,” Mr Faulkner said. “Many of those who completed the Whanu Binal program have

already achieved full- time work and should be congratulated for grasping this opportunity with both hands. “Arrow is committed to helping Indigenous Queenslanders along the pathway to long- term employment.” Whanu Binal was delivered in partnership with Energy Skills Queensland (ESQ), Hutchinson Builders, the Gold Coast School of Construction and Back on Track. ESQ Workforce Development Manager Barry Crook said Whanu Binal provided 12 weeks of supported learning including a vocational placement with construction companies who support the emerging gas industry. “The program prepares participants for the realities of working in the industry with the goal of obtaining the requisite skills to gain sustainable employment in the region,” Mr Crook said. “Successful participants received a Certificate I in Construction and were marketed to local and regional building companies at the conclusion of the course.” Arrow was the first coal seam gas company to launch a Reconciliation

Action Plan and sponsors more than 200 bursaries, scholarships and training initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland. The Whanu Binal graduation ceremony for the Surat region was held in Toowoomba on 6 November at the Burke and Wills Hotel. Students to graduate the program are: Kurt Spicer (Kamilori/Northern Goomeroi from Toowoomba) Paul Lacey (Wakka Wakka from Toowoomba ) Sam Seedek (Kamilori/Northern Goomeroi from Toowoomba), Toolalla Duncan (Kamilori/ Northern Goomeroi from Toowoomba) Michael Hegarty (Bindle and Wiradjuri from Toowoomba) Craig Dallen (Gooreng gooreng and Wangan from Toowoomba) Wayne Carroll (Bunwurrung from Toowoomba) Alex Costa (Mandandanji from Warwick) Sam Speedy (Boothamurra from Warwick) Daniel Blades (Mandandanji from St George Derek Murray (Kamilori from Walgett).

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