The Skillinvest and Victoria Police program pilot connects indigenous and Torres Strait Islander youth and police. 

Skillinvest chief executive Darren Webster said following a successful pilot, Skillinvest had secured Jobs Victoria Employment Network support to roll out the schools-based traineeship program across Victoria. 

He said 60 indigenous students would complete their certificate III in business administration through police stations over the next four years.

“We’re excited to be working with Victoria Police and the indigenous community to help keep more indigenous students in school and offer a pathway to a career that may not have otherwise been available,” Mr Webster said.

“The program will also help change negative perceptions about the police and bolster the numbers of indigenous employees within Victoria Police.”

Mr Webster said it was an honour to receive the 2016 Wurreker Award in the public sector employer category, less than 10 months after the launch of the reconciliation action plan outline.

He said Skillinvest had been involved in providing career and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for many years, and currently had nine indigenous apprentices across various areas.

Skillinvest metro general manager Dale Gemmell said the success of the traineeship would not be possible without the support of indigenous communities. 

“Building strong relationships with indigenous communities is one of the Skillinvest goals, but it’s also essential to the overall success of the program,” he said.

“This Wurreker Award belongs just as much to the community as it does to Skillinvest.”

The annual Wurreker Awards are hosted by Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc and celebrate individuals, training providers and employers who support the growth of indigenous people through education and training.