Canberra work experience for future Indigenous leaders

More than 100 Indigenous secondary students from 56 schools converged on Parliament House today to begin a week of work experience with the Australian Government.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today welcomed the students participating in the Learn Earn Legend! Work Exposure with Government program.

“The week-long program will provide students with hands-on experience inside the national Parliament, and introduce them to career opportunities that exist within the public service,” Ms Macklin said.

“Students will learn about how government works, experience life in a political office, and have the opportunity to watch Question Time before spending a day in public service agencies and departments.”

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Julie Collins, said the Work Exposure with Government program-now in its fourth year-was an important program for Indigenous students.

“These students are future leaders in their communities and this program will expand their horizons, showing them possible job opportunities and pathways into government work,” Ms Collins said.

More than 80 parliamentarians and 32 government agencies will host students in their offices this week.

Students will also meet Learn Earn Legend! Ambassador Joel Thompson from the Canberra Raiders, and Young Australian of the Year Akram Azimi.

Learn Earn Legend! encourages young Indigenous people to stay in school and training so they can gain great jobs. It is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to closing the gap on education and employment outcomes.

Funded through the Indigenous Employment Program, the Australian Government is committed to increasing Indigenous employment within the Commonwealth Public Sector to 2.7 per cent by 2015.

The Government has committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment Program over the next four years.

For more information visit: www.deewr.gov.au/learnearnlegend.