JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
7 March 2011
POWERING FORWARD ON INDIGENOUS JOBS – THE POWER SIGN UP TO 50,000 JOBS CHALLENGE
The Port Adelaide Football Club is leading the way in Indigenous employment, becoming the first AFL club to join the challenge to help find 50,000 sustainable jobs for Indigenous Australians.
Australian Employment Covenant CEO Rhonda Parker recently joined with Port Adelaide Football Club CEO Mark Haysman to sign an employment covenant. This jobs commitment will build on the Power’s success in Aboriginal school completion through the Aboriginal Power Cup program.
“The Power is already kicking goals in Aboriginal school attendance and rolling out the AEC’s P Plate mentoring program in schools involved in the Aboriginal Power Cup,” Ms Parker said.
“The AEC values the Club’s additional commitment to Aboriginal employment by signing to provide five Aboriginal jobs across the club.”
Mark Haysman said that it was important for the club to strive to win “grand finals” in its community as well as on the field.
“We are really proud of the success we’ve had in Indigenous school attendance and completion through the Aboriginal Power Cup. We’ve gone from 130 students to 330 students involved and school attendance has increased to 90%, well above the average attendance for Aboriginal students.”
“Signing an employment covenant helps complete the jobs puzzle for us. We want students to finish school and we want them to have real job opportunities– whatever their aspirations might be. So we support Indigenous students who have a passion for football but also those looking for other jobs.”
“We are looking to offer five jobs to young people who successfully complete the Aboriginal Power Cup program. Of course other participants can now work toward the range of jobs the AEC routinely has available on its jobs board from other AEC employers.”
The South Australian Government recently announced it will provide another three years of funding to support the Aboriginal Power Cup.
“We know that staying in school and continuing with education is a critical factor in providing young people with better opportunities while reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. This program works,” South Australian Attorney-General John Rau said.
“The Power is to be commended for offering jobs to some of the young people who complete the program, so there is a connection between completing school and getting work.”
Rhonda Parker said this partnership was an example of how the Australian Employment Covenant can help join the dots between the commitment of employers – like the Power – and programs like the Aboriginal Power Cup and P Plate to get Aboriginal workers into real jobs.
Mark and Rhonda challenged other AFL clubs to keep up with the Power on Indigenous programs that actually help kids finish school and provide real jobs.
“Through our player development, the Aboriginal Power Cup and the Australian Employment Covenant, the Port Adelaide Football Club is committed to supporting Indigenous Australians at all levels of the club as well as in the wider community,” Mark said.
“We hope other clubs and more employers can kick goals, just as the Power is - on and off the field. What is happening here is truly inspirational,” Rhonda Parker said.
The AEC P-Plate Manager (SA) Paul Vandenbergh, PAFC CEO Mark Haysman, AEC CEO Rhonda Parker and participants in the Aboriginal Power Cup