Wajarri Yamatji Liaision Officer wanted in Geraldton

Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd (SMCL) are currently seeking a Geraldton-based Wajarri Yamatji Liaison Officer.

For details of the position and application requirements, please visit the SMCL employment page.

Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation Shortlisted for Social Enterprise Award

YMAC would like to congratulate Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation (AAC) for being shortlisted for Pro Bono Australia's inaugural Social Enterprise Awards.

'Ashoil', a commercial enterprise run by AAC, trains indigenous youth from the Pilbara region of Western Australian to convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel fuels. The initiative has been shortlisted in the 'Social Enterprise Innovation' category.

The Awards celebrate commercial ventures across all sectors of the Australian economy that deliver economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes directly to the community.

Winners will be announced in Melbourne on Tuesday 28 May, 2013.

AAC aims to benefit Aboriginal people in the Pilbara through increasing employment and enterprise opportunities, and by providing education and training services.

Click here for more information about Ashoil, and here to see Pro Bono Australia's full Social Enterprise Awards shortlist.

For more information about AAC, please visit their website.

Upcoming Indigenous Career Development Workshops and Expos in the Pilbara

Are you interested in improving your career development skills?

The Bloodwood Tree Association is running a series of workshops and career expos in the Pilbara over the coming weeks which will enable Indigenous people to explore a range of career opportunities.

The Work Ready program, now in its second week, provides information on useful skills such as resume writing, financial management and career development. Workshops run 2-5 April 2013 and 7-11 April 2013.

Additionally, the Keys for Life workshop is a one-day 'C' Class Driver education program run every Thursday at the Bloodwood Tree main office in South Hedland.

For more information regarding the Work Ready and Keys for Life programs, contact Bloodwood Tree on (08) 9138 3000 or drop in to their office on 19 Hamilton Road, South Hedland.

The Hedland Career and Try-A-Trade Expo, held on Thursday 11 April 2013 at Hedland Senior High School, and the New Horizons Career Expo and Recruitment Drive, held on Tuesday 16 April 2013 at the Newman Recreation Centre, will provide students with the chance to explore career pathways and speak to representatives from many different professions.

The Bloodwood Tree Association is a non-for-profit Aboriginal corporation based in South Hedland that seeks to help the Indigenous community in a variety of ways, including employment programs, services for homeless people and substance abuse programs.

For more information on the Bloodwood Tree Association workshops and training programs, visit their website, email events@bloodwoodtree or phone (08) 9138 2019.

New Opportunities for Indigenous Students to Become Lawyers

The University of Western Australia is now offering a one-year course to mature age Aboriginal students which will provide them with direct entry into a new post-graduate law degree at UWA.

Starting in 2013, the Advanced Diploma in Indigenous Legal Studies has been devised by UWA's School of Indigenous Studies and the Faculty of Law to ensure that Indigenous people have equality of opportunity to succeed in mainstream law and engage with the legal isssues affecting Aboriginal people.

The Diploma provides students with both the theoretical and practical training needed to pursue a legal career in Australia, with the chance to obtain scholarships and financial assistance from some of Western Australia's most prestigious law firms and government departments.

For eligibility and requirements, please visit the UWA website, or contact Mel Thomas at mel.thomas@uwa.edu.au for further information.

Students wanted for 2013 Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School

The 2013 Indigenous Australian Engineering Summer School (IAESS) is looking for students to participate in a week-long engineering program taking place at Curtin university in January next year.

The course is run by Curtin University in partnership with Engineering Aid Australia, and is held annually for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students from around the country. It is a seven-day live-in summer school, and features a combination of engineering and social activities that will prepare students for further engineering studies and careers.

Students chosen to take part in the program will meet engineers and participate in classes, labs and field trips to give them a hands-on experience of engineering. As well as this, they will have the chance to form a social network to encourage each other, and others, to follow engineering careers.

To apply, students must be currently enrolled in years 10 or 11 and have demonstrated the interest and academic potential to pursue a career in engineering. Chosen students will be fully financially supported to participate in the IAESS in Perth.

For more information including application forms, brochures and videos, please visit the IAESS website.

Alternatively, contact the program coordinator, Tim Keely via t.keely@curtin.edu.au or (08) 9266 7884.

Indigenous Leadership Scholarships on Offer in WA

Applications are now open for the 2013 Indigenous Leadership Program, which aims to increase the number of Indigenous people in positions of leadership in the Western Australian resource sector.

The scholarship program, offered by Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME) in partnership with the Australian Institute of Management (AIM),  provides Indigenous people currently employed within CME member companies with the opportunity to undertake a nationally accredited Certificate IV in Frontline Management.

The program is designed for those currently in management positions, and has been tailored specifically to meet the needs and learning styles of Indigenous managers and supervisors. The wide range of skills developed during the program enable participants to apply leadership and management expertise across many different work roles and industry sectors.

The program will run from 25 February-1 March 2013, with additional coaching sessions from 4 March-23 May 2013.

There are four scholarships on offer. Applications close Friday 9 November 2012.

For eligibility and application requirements, visit the CME website.

Application forms can be downloaded here. 

For further information, contact Bruce Campbell-Fraser on (08) 9220 8526, or email: b.campbell-fraser@cmewa.com

Educational training programs for young women in Geraldton

SHINE is an award winning educational program based in Geraldton that empowers young women with the skills and tools required to build a successful career.

The program takes place within a purpose-built hairdressing salon at John Willcock College, and aims to develop confidence in girls at risk of leaving school by inspiring them to learn through a hands-on, fun and engaging environment.

SHINE offers skills and leadership training to indigenous and 'at risk' girls aged between 13 and 15, and prepares these students for future traineeships and placement within the workforce.


For more information on the program, visit the SHINE website.

Rail industry career opportunities through Pilbara Indigenous Association

Indigenous people will soon have a greater opportunity to work in the rail construction industry through a new joint initiative between the Bloodwood Tree Association and international construction company Laing O’Rourke.

Under the proposed program, which is expected to commence later this month, Bloodwood Tree clients will undertake an initial four-week training program with the Association, before starting a six-week Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure with Laing O’Rourke.

Those involved in the course will learn basic skills to prepare them for employment, and everyone who graduates from the program will then be offered employment opportunities through the company.

The initiative will promote local rather than ‘fly-in, fly-out’ recruitment for companies such as BHP and FMG who work in the Pilbara, and encourage community development.

The Bloodwood Tree Association is a not-for-profit Aboriginal corporation based in South Hedland that seeks to help the Indigenous community in a variety of ways, including employment programs, services for homeless people and substance abuse programs.

For further information on the Bloodwood Tree Association workshops and training programs, please visit their website: http://www.bloodwoodtree.org.au/

Additionally, more information about Laing O'Rourke can be found on their website: http://www.laingorourke.com.au/home