RECORD EMPLOYMENT RESULTS FOR ROEBOURNE COMMUNITY

Lovinia Samson.

In the Pilbara, the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Foundation (NYFL) has reported record results for its Vocational Employment and Training program in the Roebourne community. 

Over 18 Roebourne Aboriginal people have obtained employment and qualifications through the program, which is recognised as the most successful Aboriginal-run employment program in the West Pilbara.

Ngarluma woman Lovinia Samson completed a mental health certificate through the program and is now working for NYFL as a program officer.

She said her training enabled her to “connect in a deeper sense to help [others] with mental health issues instead of them being shame to talk about it and [not wanting] to deal with stuff in their lives and problems that arise and become depression.”

NYFL CEO Sean-Paul Stephens said the program had a positive impact on the community.

“We actually had 65 people on the program throughout the course of the year, 18 of whom moved into employment,” he said.

“In terms of Roebourne as a community, where there’s 600-1000 people, depending on how it’s calculated and what time of year we’re talking about, if you think about 65 people being employed in a program, that’s huge social impact.

“And 18 of those people moving into employment, that’s a great reflection of this community.”

Sean-Paul Stephens.