The Steps to the Future Indigenous Employment Program run by Latrobe City Council has won the Youth Employment Category and the overall National Award for Excellence at the 2014 National Awards for Local Government.

The Youth Employment Award was presented by Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education at a ceremony at Parliament House Canberra last night.

“The Australian Government is determined to ensure that every Australian who can work gets the opportunity to do so,” Senator Ryan said.

“That’s why the Australian Government has been proud to jointly fund the Steps to the Future Indigenous Employment Program run by Latrobe City Council.”

The programme aims to increase employment prospects for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Gippsland region with a particular focus on youth.

The programme uses role models and mentors to focus on matching skills and interest with jobs. It not only supports people looking for work but also helps employers, providing cross-cultural advice to prepare businesses to employ Indigenous Australians.

“Since the programme began in 2002 it has helped more than 350 people get into jobs in the Gippsland region,” Senator Ryan said.

“I congratulate Latrobe City Council, and in particular, the local businesses in the Gippsland region that have been part of this programme.”

The Department of Education is the sponsor of the 2014 Youth Employment Award.

The programme also won the 2014 National Award for Excellence in Local Government presented separately by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Warren Truss MP at the National General Assembly of Local Government dinner last night at Parliament House.