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Master Builders & NSW Government Partnership supporting Aboriginal apprentices

23-November-2014

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Victor Dominello has today announced that four new Aboriginal apprentices had started work with the Master Builders Association of NSW, taking the total to 13, since an agreement with the NSW Government was signed in April.

Mr Dominello congratulated newly appointed Aboriginal apprentices, Renee McKeown, Nicole Daws, Dylan Davies and Andrew Dargan at State Parliament today. MBA Executive Director Brian Seidler also attended the morning tea.

On 1 April the NSW Government and MBA signed an Industry-based Agreement committing to work together to create sustainable economic development and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people. MBA has now implemented an Action Plan which has supported:

  • the recruitment and retention of 13 Aboriginal apprentices and trainees, including one who has completed a Certificate II in Civil Construction;
  • three Aboriginal cultural awareness workshops to enhance employees' knowledge about Aboriginal history and customs;
  • the development of factsheets for Aboriginal apprentices on National Employment Standards, work experience and career progression;
  • MBA's attendance at three V-TEC apprentice recruitment courses; and
  • an Aboriginal Participation in Construction Survey sent to 8,000 members to identify barriers to employment retention and procurement from Aboriginal enterprises.

"I congratulate Mr Seidler and his staff at MBA on their genuine dedication to delivering on the goals and aspirations of the IBA over the past six months. Today was an opportunity to meet with trainees to get an insight into their experiences," Mr Dominello said.

"The most recent CommSec State of State's report showed NSW leading the nation on new housing construction with 34,697 new homes approved in Sydney last year. ABS data for October also showed 17,300 jobs created in NSW.

"We must seize on our State's strong economic position to recruit and train more young Aboriginal people for construction jobs - and that's exactly what we are seeking to do through this partnership with MBA."

Mr Seidler said, "The building and construction industry is our nation's biggest supplier of trade apprentices and the MBA is firmly committed to growing employment opportunities for young Aboriginal people looking to start a career in our industry.

"We look forward to working with the NSW Government to improve retention of apprentices and pathways to full-time employment over the next 12 months."

Information about Industry-based Agreements and other OCHRE initiatives can be found our Industry Based Agreements page

MEDIA: Matt Dawson 0427 145 575

141112 MBA-NSW Govt Partnership leads to more aboriginal apprentices


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