28 January 2019

NSWALC Meets with Sydney Business Leaders to Discuss Strategy for Indigenous Business Development and Employment Opportunities

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council will partner with industry leaders under an ambitious new scheme to create Indigenous job opportunities and enhance business development.

The NSW Indigenous Business and Employment Hub, to be known as the Yarpa Hub, is part of a strategic plan in conjunction with the Commonwealth Government to stimulate the Indigenous business community and meet participation targets for continued growth and engagement.
Plans for the Yarpa Hub were discussed at an Indigenous Business Breakfast hosted by media personality and proud Wiradjuri man Stan Grant this morning.

As part of its Indigenous employment objectives, the Yarpa Hub has targeted opportunities on key infrastructure projects within the progressive growth corridor of Greater Western Sydney.

NSWALC Chair Cr. Roy Ah-See said generating jobs, opportunities and training for Aboriginal people was the best way to close the gap in health and education.

“Yarpa will provide a one-stop shop for Indigenous business owners, entrepreneurs, job seekers and industry to ensure Aboriginal businesses gain a larger share of Australia’s economy,” Cr Ah-See said.

“There are numerous major works projects in progress or on the horizon across Sydney with a projected workforce requirement of more than 16,000 jobs. Sadly when it comes to current employment statistics though, using just the construction industry as an example, Aboriginal workers account for less than one per cent of that workforce.

“Our people want to work. They are available to work. The Yarpa Hub is about helping develop the pathways to make it happen. If we could lift that even to just three per cent, based on demand projections we can help create more than 2000 jobs for our network. That would be a significant achievement which we believe is realistic with support and assistance from the business community.”

The Yarpa Hub is the first of its kind and has been designed and delivered by the NSW Aboriginal Land Council as part of the Commonwealth Government’s Indigenous Business Sector Strategy.

This morning’s Indigenous Business Breakfast included representatives from major businesses including Lend Lease, Commonwealth Bank, Deloitte, Westpac and Honeywell.