New employment and training to the fore at Ayers Rock

An Indigenous training and employment program will be established at the Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara to attract employees locally and from across Australia.

Federal Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson, Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin and Federal Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib made a recent joint announcement, attributing the initiative to a partnership between the Australian Government and Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC).

Launching the big Ayers rock initiative, the Ministers said the new partnership would create 350 new jobs for Indigenous Australians at Ayers Rock Resort and in Australia's hospitality industry.

Announced the program at the launch of the joint venture between Accor and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australian, Senator Arbib stated "the innovative plan has stemmed from the ILC purchasing Ayers Rock Resort, which provides great opportunities to employ Indigenous Australians and support Indigenous businesses.

"In addition, the ILC have committed to raising Indigenous employment at the resort to 50% by 2018."

Senator Arbib said through the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) the Australian Government was providing more than $4.9 million toward the training and employment of 200 Indigenous job seekers.

Senator Arbib added "as part of the program 100 Indigenous Australians will undertake a 12-month traineeship at the ILC's newly established Indigenous Training Academy at Yulara.

"The traineeship program will recruit trainees locally and from across Australia by offering competitive wages, help with relocation and costs of living, retention bonuses and a guaranteed job, either at the resort or in the hospitality and tourism industry.

"An additional 100 Indigenous Australians will be employed by Ayers Rock Resort with ongoing industry standard training, mentoring and support and cross cultural training will be provided for up to 630 employees.

"Funding will also support the employment of an Indigenous Engagement Team of experienced staff who will support the employment and retention of Indigenous employees and trainees."

The ILC will commit a further $4.35 million to the training and employment of Indigenous Australians at the Resort and in the tourism and hospitality industry more broadly, including a further 150 traineeships and a variety of start-up and operating costs.

Minister Ferguson said that the program will help build a skilled tourism and hospitality workforce, and assist the growth of indigenous tourism experiences, adding "Uluru is one of the world's most recognisable natural icons.

"This Ayers Rock Resort program complements the National Long Term Tourism Strategy's focus on improving Indigenous tourism experiences as well as stimulating Indigenous tourism enterprise and product development.

"The Australian Government has also committed to providing funding of up to $1 million from the Strategic Tourism Investment Grants program for the Indigenous Tourism Business Skills Project at Ayers Rock Resort.

"The innovative management approach by the ILC will give Indigenous trainees and workers opportunities to launch careers in the tourism industry across Australia and internationally, for example, within major hotel networks such as Accor."

ILC Chairperson Dr Dawn Casey welcomed the funding from the Australian Government to employ and train a new Indigenous workforce at the resort and for the wider Australian tourism industry.

Dr Casey concluded "the National Indigenous Training Academy at Yulara will provide paid, accredited, industry-standard tourism and hospitality training to develop highly skilled Indigenous workers who can take up a variety of positions at the Ayers Rock Resort or in other tourism and hotel businesses anywhere in Australia," she said.

"The funding and implementation of the academy and the employment program will deliver significant benefits to Indigenous individuals as well as to Indigenous tourism and Australian tourism industry as a whole."