Initiatives to boost employment and training for Aboriginal people in the Pilbara will be developed during the Training together-working together round table conference in South Hedland today.

Training Minister Peter Collier said the conference was part of extensive State-wide engagement, consultation and planning to enable Aboriginal people to develop the workforce skills necessary for sustainable employment.

“There are many excellent initiatives under way in the Pilbara involving partnerships with training organisations, employment service providers and the resource industries, but we need to look at what more can be done,” Mr Collier said.

“We need to make Aboriginal people more aware of employment and training opportunities, and see if there are better ways for them to link to those opportunities.

“The discussion will also focus on the major role that Aboriginal and other businesses can play in training and employing Aboriginal people.”

Today’s forum will be conducted by State Training Board chair Keith Spence and Dr Sue Gordon, who co-chair the Training together-working together committee.

Training together-working together was launched in September and similar round table forums have taken place in Kwinana and the South-West.

Other regional conferences will be held before the Training together-working together Aboriginal Workforce Development Summit is held early next year.

The Minister said Aboriginal leaders from WA communities comprised more than half of the committee.

“Training and employment are building blocks for improving social and economic outcomes for Aboriginal people,” he said.

“Individual committee members will play a leading role in their respective industries and communities to ensure the plan is based on research and analysis of the key issues and needs of stakeholders.”

Mr Collier said the State Government wanted all Western Australians to have the skills to be part of the State’s economic future.