Batchelor Institute to get almost $600,000 to train inmates

SENATOR THE HON MARK ARBIB
Minister for Employment Participation
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Government Service Delivery

THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Member for Lingiari, Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health, & Regional Service Delivery

GERRY McCARTHY MP
NT Minister for Correctional Services

Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib and Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon today announced almost $600,000 funding for Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education.

The funding is being provided under the Get Communities Working stream of the Australian Government’s Jobs Fund.

It is one of 32 Get Communities Working projects to share in $21.5 million under Round 2 to link disadvantaged job seekers with training and employment opportunities.

Senator Arbib said Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education would provide rehabilitation to low security inmates for future employment opportunities.

The facility will create six jobs and 100 work experience positions.

“The funding will be used to purchase a machine that cuts steel for construction, called the FrameMaster F300i Mobile Factory, plus operating equipment,” Senator Arbib said.

“Currently Indigenous people make up 87 per cent of the Northern Territory correctional facilities population. This project will provide those low security inmates with metal frame fabrication and construction skills.

“This project will not only provide much needed assistance to some of the country’s most disadvantaged people, it will also support and create jobs in the Northern Territorian community.”

Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon welcomed the funding and said it would result in increased employment opportunities.

“After receiving training and workforce experience the inmates will become attractive employees to the construction sector when released.

“This project provides a fantastic opportunity for low security inmates in Northern Territory correctional facilities, many of whom are Indigenous, to turn their lives around,” Mr Snowdon said.

“It’s great to see communities support the Government’s plan to create jobs and training opportunities for local workers, and build infrastructure that will benefit the communities well into the future,” Minister for Correctional Services Gerry McCarthy said.

Round 2 projects will see a further 1033 jobs created and retained, in addition to 247 traineeship and apprenticeship positions and 838 work experience placements.

Funding for Get Communities Working projects was negotiated with the support of Senator Stephen Fielding.

A full list of Round 2 Get Communities Working projects and more information on the Jobs Fund is available at www.keepaustraliaworking.gov.au/jobsfund

Minister’s media contact:
Alison Hill (Arbib) 0407 570 640
Alice Plate (Snowdon) 0400 045 999
Katie Woolf (McCarthy) 0420 972 505
DEEWR Media: media@deewr.gov.au Non-media queries: 1300 363 079

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Tags : Australia, Government, Minister for Employment Participation, Rural and Regional Health