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Employment, Training and Industrial Relations, HON. PAUL BRADDY 24/3/99 Indigenous public servants targeted for top Government jobs The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in senior public service positions in Queensland is set to increase under plans announced today by the Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations Paul Braddy. Mr Braddy said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Middle Management Training and Development Program would be expanded to give more indigenous public servants the opportunity to advance to middle and senior management positions. Mr Braddy said 16 positions of trainee managers within the department would be offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public servants next year as part of the program � double the intake for 1998/99. He encouraged other State Government departments to nominate positions for the program. The Department of Sport and Racing and the Department of Treasury will take part in the 1999/2000 DETIR program, which starts in March. "For too long, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been poorly represented in the public service, with most employed in lower level positions or program-dependent areas servicing indigenous client groups," Mr Braddy said. "This program will deliver employment equity for indigenous people particularly in regional areas. "We have an 80% success rate in placing participants in positions after they complete the program, which is a very positive outcome for all involved." Program Coordinator Chris Thiesfield said the 12-month program combined work placements, on-the-job training and off-the-job training. Mr Thiesfield said each participant was also assigned a mentor at a director level or higher in the public sector who would be responsible for providing advice and support to the trainee. "Depending on their needs, our trainee managers can gain experience in policy development, research, project work, people management and resource management," Mr Thiesfield said. "This program is about challenging indigenous people to reach for goals they thought were impossible." Further information: David Burley on (07)3225 2210/3835 9900 and quote pager 96149.
