As part of its national Indigenous and Diversity program, leading workforce and project management company, Protech, has engaged with specialist indigenous recruitment agency, Real Futures, to recruit staff to work on the Woolgoolga-Ballina bypass.
Manager of the Protech program, Nick Elston, said the relationship with Real Futures had aided in seven indigenous staff officially start their traineeship last week.
“We have now employed eight men and women through our latest program, with Real Futures playing an important role in the recruitment process; as part of a major drive to supply staff for the construction of the by-pass,” he said.
“This project is expected to employ 3500 at its peak, cost more than $4 billion and be completed by 2021. Already almost 10% of employees and contractors involved in the project identify as being indigenous,” Mr Elston said.
“We have been working with Real Futures to get the trainees job-ready, including making sure they have all the appropriate certificates and licenses before they start.”
Mr Elston said Protech had a strong commitment to engaging a diverse and inclusive workforce, introducing a number of diversity programs to boost their number of Indigenous and female employees.
TJay Towns, Employment Development Specialist with Real Futures, said national companies like Protech should be recognised for their commitment to increasing employment of Aboriginal staff.
“Protech is genuine in their desire to create jobs and meaningful training opportunities and increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the workforce, “ Mr Towns said.
“We worked closely with Protech to identify their needs and then set about developing the skills of our aspirants so they would be ready to start from day one.
“Some participants had been unemployed for a long time and are thrilled to be starting with a company that has a great track record of inclusiveness.”
Mr Towns added that Real Futures will be working with Protech on multiple projects across NSW, Northern Territory and eventually in Western Australia.
For further information please contact Real Futures on 1800 732 538.
