UPDATE 18 May10 - Final program now available

The Indigenous Forces at Work Conference is being convened and hosted by Jobs Australia and will provide a forum to highlight best practice in engaging Indigenous Australians in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and associated pathways to employment.

This exciting inaugural event will:

• Celebrate Indigenous success in training and employment

• Offer the opportunity to hear from a range of inspiring local and national Indigenous keynote speakers, role models and mentors

• Use storytelling to highlight successful training & employment models for Indigenous Australians

• Profile Indigenous women in vocational education and training

• Showcase the use of oral history in education and training

• Explore links between training and employment

• Present ideas to enhance and develop Indigenous training enterprises / businesses

• Provide professional development & networking opportunities in a culturally-appropriate setting.

A unique aspect of this conference is the opportunity to hear 10 storytellers and keynote speakers sharing their personal stories - their life, training and career pathways leading to employment and where they are now. These inspirational stories will be recorded and will form the basis of a multi-media pack which will be widely distributed following the conference.  The pack will include a record of conference outcomes as a published ‘story’ book, a DVD and an educational Facilitator’s Guide. These resources will prove to be valuable, culturally-appropriate tools to further enhance the link between training, employment and career progression for Indigenous Australians.

Sean Choolburra

We are delighted to announce that Sean Choolburra will be the MC for the conference.  Sean has carved his niche as an outstanding Australian Indigenous entertainer. After winning the NSW Raw Comedy final in 2002, Sean has gone on to prove himself as an inspiration to Indigenous youth as a comedian, dancer, hip hop didgeridoo player and traditional workshop performer.

Hailing from Townsville, Sean has established a career as a dancer and created the NGARU Dance Company performing world-wide with the Bangarra Dance Company including by invitation before the Dalai Lama.  Sean shares the knowledge of how a small-town Aboriginal boy came to grips with big-city life and this makes him all the more engaging as a performer.  Sean looks at Aboriginal and Australian identity and how we have become Americanised.

In 2009, Sean was invited to perform at the Scottish Storytelling Festival and he has participated in many other comedy and fringe festivals.  He has hosted the Deadly Funnies in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. He has previously performed at the Opera House and the Melbourne Comedy Festival with his one man show ‘Oil of My Land’ – which drew on his experiences as an aboriginal growing up and gave the perfect opportunity for blending his skills as a dancer and a didgeridoo player.  Sean gives his audience a chance to get in on many hilarious ‘Black Fella Yarns’.

Troy will also feature as a keynote speaker and talk about the pathway to his successful recording career.  After 6 studio albums, 20 Golden Guitars, 4 ARIAs and countless tours throughout Australia to Indigenous communities, Troy wants to share his positivity and personal journey, including the influence of family, community, training and overcoming of personal barriers.

A unique aspect of the conference will be hearing first-hand the stories of 10 Indigenous Australians who have successfully undertaken training and transitioned into employment.  Following the conference their stories will be featured on a DVD and published in an Indigenous Forces at Work book which will be distributed to all Indigenous Training Network members and a range of other Indigenous organisations and government departments.

The Indigenous Forces at Work conference will feature a number of additional prominent keynote speakers and people who will share their personal stories and pathways in life outlining the influence of family, community and training and education experiences.

Jobs Australia: Working for a fair and equitable Australia - www.ja.com.au