Working Together for West Kimberley's Graduating Students

Written on the 2 October 2017 by Broome Chamber of Commerce

As graduation for many Year 12 Students through the West Kimberley draws closer, for many of 2017 students it can be the time when reality strikes school is over and it's time to find a job. Less than half of young people finishing school go on to university, some of our young people will already have secured their place within the local workforce. For many more, their employment prospects are looking bleak in a highly complex and competitive job market.

Working Together West Kimberley, delivered by Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry, funded by Department of Training and Workforce Development, is striving to connect local businesses with Aboriginal youth throughout the West Kimberley region. It is an innovative way of developing our local diverse workforce and enhancing local community. This unique delivery model ensures that the program is being delivered by locals for locals, with the advantage of being a part of a well-supported regional network.

"Business in Broome and the West Kimberley is difficult at the moment. The tourist season is slowing down, the wet and Christmas seasons are so close, but now is the time to start engaging with our local young people, offering them opportunities of work experience, employment, apprenticeships and traineeships and preparing your workforce for 2018."

"Working Together aims to close the gap between local businesses and the community, to help create and maintain a sustainable workforce and build upon the diverse knowledge and skills in our region."

"There are so many incentives and services available for business to employ a young person, especially for an Indigenous young person, as that demographic is under represented in the West Kimberley employment market. This is something West Kimberley businesses can change. We are asking all businesses in the region look at their current workforce, consider offering apprenticeships and traineeships to school leavers and to take all the incentives and support offered to them, to assist us in building our local community."

"We will also discuss with potential employers any issues and barriers you may encounter, strategies to overcome these, what your business can offer in regards to training and development, and link you up to services that will find the right fit for your organisation."

"It's about the 360' service we want to provide to our local business community, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free process and more young people be given the opportunity to start their careers in our region."

For more information or to express your visit http://www.broomechamber.com.au/working-together.html or contact Elaine Jolliffe - Working Together Workplace Liaison on 0488 220 414.