Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians are working side-by-side with Victoria Police as part of a school-based traineeship program supported by the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan and Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams visited Dandenong Police Station to meet trainees and Victoria Police members involved in the Skillinvest program.

Through funding from the Labor Government’s $63 million Jobs Victoria initiative, Skillinvest has placed three school-based trainees at Dandenong Police Station.

The program is running at police stations from Morwell to Warrnambool – with 32 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees currently placed.

Day to day, the trainees are involved in administration tasks at the police station – including filing, paperwork and inventory checks – while completing a Certificate III in Business Administration.

The traineeships have proven to be a great foundation for improving relationships, and setting young indigenous Victorians on a path to a career in the police force.

Jobs Victoria has a goal of placing 4,000 Victorians into meaningful and sustainable work over the next four years.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan

“By linking trainees with Victoria Police, we’re opening up exciting career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.”

“I look forward to seeing this program rolled out to police stations across the state to give students a chance to get important skills and training in administration.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Police Lisa Neville

“It’s great to see Victoria Police proudly engaging with indigenous young people to open up career opportunities in the force.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins

“The benefit of employment to the Aboriginal community goes beyond having a job – it gives them the ability to give back to the community and become future leaders.”

Quote attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams

“We are working hard to ensure every student in Dandenong has an opportunity to get the training and work experience they need to flourish in their careers.