The investment was said to reflect the government's action in helping Aboriginal people thrive
The Victoria government on Thursday announced that it is providing $400,000 to the Geelong Aboriginal Employment Taskforce in a bid to create employment and upskilling opportunities for Aboriginal Australians.
The taskforce is a group of local Aboriginal employers, community representatives, groups, and businesses that seek to reduce barriers that are holding back Aboriginal people from working.
The group also want to push for better employment outcomes for Aboriginal people, according to a statement from the government.
The $400,000 grant to the taskforce is part of the bigger $1.25-million investment in Aboriginal employment support in Geelong.
The remaining $850,000 from the investment will be allocated to the establishment of the first-ever cultural hub for Aboriginal entrepreneurs, which will be established by the Geelong-based organisation
"We're supporting Aboriginal organisations, so that they can create more employment pathways and opportunities for First Nations Victorians. I look forward to seeing the Ngarrimili cultural hub open soon," said Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gabrielle Williams.
Ngarrimili will establish the cultural hub at Westfield Geelong for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It will be put up with a retail shop front, featuring local First Nations businesses and their products. A café for training and employment opportunities will also be opened there.
In addition, the cultural hub will also serve as a "co-working space for Aboriginal people [to] grow their businesses and seek employment assistance," according to the government.
Read more: This landmark event celebrates Aboriginal employee inclusion
Employment Minister Jaala Pulford visited with Member for Geelong Christine Couzens the Geelong-based organisation on Thursday for the said initiatives, which the government said is another example of its support for the self-determination approaches to help Aboriginal communities prosper even further.
Pulford said the initiative will ensure that Aboriginal Victorians will get the help that they need in realising their potential and career goals.
"Both the Ngarrimili hub and the work of the Geelong Aboriginal Employment Taskforce will be a launch pad for the next generation of Aboriginal people living in the Geelong region," the minister said in a statement.
Couzens, on her end, welcomed the initiative from the government.
"Aboriginal community control is vital to improving employment outcomes and I'm proud the Government is doing that here in Geelong through this type of self-determination focused engagement."
