Origin job opportunity finalists announced

From physiotherapy to forensic science, law to photography, automotive and midwifery, 35 Indigenous youth and school-leavers with wide-ranging career aspirations have been chosen to take part in a special job experience and aspirational program during the 2012 Harvey Norman State of Origin Series.

The successful students, from high schools in the NSW Indigenous communities of Coonamble, Grafton, Narromine, Toormina and Wellington, will receive the good news over the next two days confirming they will be part of the Australian Government’s 2012 NRL Learn Earn Legend! State of Origin Job Experience Program (SOOJEP).

SOOJEP will see 30 Indigenous youth and five school-leavers (chaperones) travel to Sydney for a five-day camp next month to participate in job experience, aspirational, leadership, mentoring and cultural activities leading up to Game 2 of the 2012 Harvey Norman State of Origin Series.

Those selected will participate in job experience placements with the sponsors and partners of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series, as well as undertaking nationally accredited leadership and mentoring activities.

ARL Commission General Manager, Community, Culture and Diversity, Ms Trish Crews, said: “This is a great opportunity for these children for what could be a life-changing and defining experience as we help and encourage them to chase their dreams.

“And through the All Stars Indigenous Youth Summits and the success we have had with our School to Work programs under the Learn Earn Legend! umbrella, we know these opportunities do make a difference.”

The program co-funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the ARL Commission, was run for the first time last year and the participants have been identified as the next group of Indigenous leaders within their respective communities.

Many positive stories have come out of the inaugural program, including a participant now planning to study law after completing her Job Experience at Kennedy Lawyers; the offer of a scholarship by InterContinental Hotels to support Year 11 and 12 studies prior to a chef apprenticeship; a full-time Horticulture Traineeship on return to their community; and a full-time Youth Worker Traineeship with The Salvation Army in Sydney.

2012 Learn Earn Legend! State of Origin Job Experience Program Participants