NSWALC and Olympus Solutions join forces to secure Aboriginal jobs

Friday 23 March 2018

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) and Employment Provider Olympus Solutions have joined forces to break down barriers facing Aboriginal jobseekers.

The partnership will see NSWALC and Olympus Solutions working in tandem to proactively seek out employment opportunities through Olympus Solutions Vocational Training and Employment Centres (VTEC). VTEC is funded by the Australian Government.

The partnership will also extend to all Olympus Solutions employment programs both now and into the foreseeable future.

Olympus Solutions area of operation of their VTEC contacts now includes Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Illawarra and to the Southern Highlands. These contracts will now involve working closely with the NSWALC as well as community and employment providers in these areas to source candidates for guaranteed positions.

NSWALC Chair Roy Ah-See said the partnership - launched by Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion in Western Sydney today - was part of a new strategy by the peak Land Rights body to take a lead role in improving economic and social outcomes for Aboriginal people in New South Wales.

"The NSW Aboriginal Land Council understands that holding down a job and having secure housing is essential to realising the gains Aboriginal people have made from Land Rights.

"Having a secure and stable job is the best way Aboriginal people can fully participate in Australia's third-largest economy.

"By entering partnerships with established providers like Olympus Solutions, we can realise the potential of Aboriginal people to hold down long-term employment and security.

"This partnership will also complement the work the NSW Aboriginal Land Council will undertake in partnership with the Federal Government to deliver the first Indigenous Business and Employment Hub in Western Sydney."

The Indigenous Business and Employment Hub is a major part of the Federal Government's Western Sydney City Deal which will build on record infrastructure investment in the region, including a new airport.

Cr Ah-See said the partnership between NSWALC, Olympus and the Western Sydney Indigenous Business and Employment Hub was a unique arrangement that understood the workforce needs of employers and would provide better support for Aboriginal people and businesses to fill current and future job opportunities.

"These initiatives will help support greater employment outcomes for Aboriginal people and more opportunities for the establishment and ongoing success of Aboriginal businesses.

"This partnership will also help deliver employment and procurement targets for construction projects under the Western Sydney City Deal, including the 2.4 percent Aboriginal employment target that will apply for the new Western Sydney Airport."

Olympus Solutions Chair Dr Robert Lang said the employment service would continue to match job seekers' skills and abilities with guaranteed jobs through its VTEC contracts and looks forward to working with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council on its other employment programs and complimentary services now and into the future.

"Through our organisation's combined network of employers, Registered Training Organisations and community connections we can access employers who are committed to Indigenous employment.

"Through our partnership, we hope to be able to access even more offers of job-specific training, supported job interviews, post-placement job support and mentoring".

Dr Lang said Olympus Solutions was proud to be partner with the NSW Aboriginal Land Council in this initiative.

"With the NSW Aboriginal Land Councils network of 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils and over 23,000 individual Aboriginal community members, we are confident that together we can help more Aboriginal people on the pathway to jobs and training."

About NSWALC 

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) is the largest member-based Aboriginal organisation in Australia with a network of 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils and over 23,000 members. Through our membership, NSWALC also serves the needs of 230,000 people in New South Wales, Australia's largest Aboriginal population.

www.alc.org.au

About Olympus Solutions

Olympus Solutions understands securing and sustaining a meaningful job that delivers independence and a sense of belonging in the community is vital to all Australians and that securing the right employees who are motivated and work-ready is essential for employers and the economy.

Our expert network of employment providers contractors & partners can manage diverse workforce requirements and our dedicated and experienced Employment Liaison Consultants deliver efficient results to both job seekers and employers.

Olympus Solutions are a leading employment service provider and member of the Ability Options Community.

olympus.org.au

Media contact:

Andrew Williams

Manager Media and Communications

NSW Aboriginal Land Council

Tel: (02) 9689 4436

Samantha Fenton

Marketing and Communications Manager

Olympus Solutions

A member of the Ability Options community

Tel: 02 8884 9274