Not-for-profit community organisation Whitelion is looking for local employers to sign up for its new Geelong-based Bundji Bundji Employment Program, which will assist Indigenous youth to find sustainable employment.
The program, funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Indigenous Employment Program will match at-risk Indigenous young people with an employer that supports their personal situations.
“We would like to encourage Geelong employers from all sectors to find out more about the program and how they can help change the lives of young Indigenous people,” said Whitelion CEO and Co-Founder Mark Watt.
“The Indigenous Employment Program that has been rolled out in other parts of Victoria since last year has registered almost 60 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with 13 young people successfully placed in employment so far.”
Indigenous youth eligible for the new program are guided through vocational assessment and a pre-employment program by Whitelion, including training for any specific skills required for employment that they may lack.
The young person is then matched with a new or existing employer through Whitelion, with both the young person and the employer supported on an ongoing basis.
The original Melbourne-based Bundji Bundji Program is a partnership between Whitelion and Murrenda Aboriginal Community Care Ltd. The program provides culturally appropriate support to Indigenous young people who have been involved with or are at risk of being involved with the youth justice system by bringing them closer to their communities, culture and traditions.
Whitelion is a not-for-profit community organisation that supports and empowers young people at risk to reach their full potential. Through providing mentors, role models and employment opportunities Whitelion’s programs support those that have been involved with or are at risk of being involved with the youth justice and/or out of home care systems.
