The Crèche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland is working with Indigenous Success Australia to develop a strategy for creating jobs for Indigenous people in the Early Childhood sector, thanks to $45,000 from the Gillard Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

The Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Julie Collins, said the Indigenous employment strategy was aimed at taking advantage of the opportunities for Indigenous employment in the sector.

“New centres and programs means the Crèche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland will need to create up to 50 employment opportunities for Indigenous people within their centres,” Ms Collins said.

“The strategy will help ensure Indigenous Australians help meet this demand, with Indigenous traineeships and employment programs.

“It will also support existing Indigenous staff with professional development opportunities.”

Ms Collins said Indigenous employment was an issue the Government is addressing in the long term.

“It is critical that Indigenous Australians have the support and training they need to take up employment opportunities,” Ms Collins said.

“Over the next four years the Gillard Government has invested almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment Program and $50 million to the Indigenous Youth Careers Pathway Program.

“This is part of our target to create more than 100,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018.”

For more information about the Indigenous Employment Program, visit www.deewr.gov.au/iep