The Bombers’ Bright Futures Indigenous employment project has successfully delivered nine placements as part of the job seeker program this year.
Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell said the meaningful program continued to provide employment opportunities for Indigenous youth in the northwest corridor of Melbourne.
“We are really proud of the Bombers Bright Futures Program and the role Essendon has played to support young Indigenous people in our region.” Campbell said
“Over the last five years, the program has brokered nearly 40 jobs with a focus on establishing relationships with employers, placing the employees and then importantly providing ongoing support and mentorship.
“We would like to commend the Andrews Government for its commitment to supporting Aboriginal economic development by funding projects like this that deliver robust and sustainable outcomes and links to industry."
The Hon. Frank McGuire MP for Broadmeadows – a suburb in the heart of Melbourne’s north-west said he had seen first hand the benefits the program has to offer.
“The Bombers’ Bright Futures program is really important particularly in Broadmeadows,” he said.
“A lot of people are struggling. Unemployment in Broadmeadows in parts is equal to Greece. Youth unemployment is more than 40 per cent.
“We can’t allow this to happen, we have to give the local kids the opportunity for learning, for skills, for a chance of a job.
“For the Essendon Football Club putting its weight and its clout behind a project to encourage employers to employ the local indigenous kids – we need that.
“I think it’s fantastic the Essendon Football Club is engaged with the community at this level and we’ll look to build on this.”
Jacinta Allen, in her role as the Victorian Minister for Employment, has also played a key role in the project, as well as the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.
The Government has established another dozen similar projects that have placed more than 1,300 Indigenous people into employment since 2009.
