Aboriginal people will have more employment opportunities under a new initiative to actively promote the engagement of Aboriginal businesses in the maintenance and construction of schools across NSW.
Working in partnership with Aboriginal agencies and businesses, School Infrastructure NSW (SINSW) will start the First Nations Engagement in School Infrastructure program in Dubbo.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said Dubbo is the ideal location to start the program.
“Dubbo is proudly home to a significant Aboriginal population, along with a pool of Aboriginal businesses and potential partner organisations whose skills and experiences could benefit our schools, students and the community,” Mr Saunders said.
“This initiative will support economic participation, not only for Aboriginal people and businesses on Country, but local non-Aboriginal businesses as well, by investing in the development of local skills and trades to build and maintain our local schools.
“We know that our students and school communities thrive when they have the investment, connection and support from local businesses.”
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell welcomed the program and the opportunities it presents, particularly for regional and remote areas across the state.
“We have 2,200 public schools located all across NSW so there are significant employment opportunities in helping us take care of our schools,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Through this program, we’re actively encouraging Aboriginal businesses to work with their local schools and other NSW Department of Education sites so that together, we can create positive outcomes for local communities.
“We will look to expand and engage more Aboriginal business once this informative pilot in Dubbo is completed.”
SINSW is moving towards direct management of facilities maintenance to provide better outcomes for schools and the communities they serve. Changing the current facilities maintenance contract aims to ensure the best possible service is provided to every school in NSW, regardless of their geographical location, with more employment opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses.
An open tender process is currently underway with industry partners invited to participate in SINSW’s innovative approach to maintenance.
The initial rollout in Dubbo will help to identify strategies to increase and grow a pipeline of Aboriginal businesses and employees engaged in school facilities maintenance.
The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.