Indigenous Australians in South East Queensland will have new employment and training opportunities in the electrical trades thanks to more than $102,000 from the Gillard Government’s Indigenous Employment Program (IEP).

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Julie Collins, said the Get Energised with Sovereign project will work with 10 job seekers to provide pre-employment training and support to connect with work opportunities.

“The project will provide the job seekers with pre-employment training, full-time employment and post employment mentoring through IEP panel member, Jim Ralph Employment Consultancy,” Ms Collins said.

“Pre-employment support will include activities to improve job seekers’ confidence and motivation before starting work with Sovereign Energy and other employers.

“I applaud Sovereign Energy for its commitment to ensuring these participants receive meaningful employment in the electrical trades sector, and giving selected employees the opportunity to do on-the-job accredited training."

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

“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,” Ms Collins said.

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