Blue Care complex will create jobs for First Nations people

Blue Care is to offer employment and training to First Nations people at its new Sunshine Coast development.

Upon construction of its new aged care and retirement living facility on the Sunshine Coast, Blue Care intends to offer employment and training opportunities to the local First Nations population.

Work began on the $100-million Sunrise Beach precinct in Noosa in July. Once completed, it will provide hundreds of new jobs for the local community.

The precinct will be located near Sunrise Beach and Noosa Junction

With that in mind, the non-for-profit aged care provider, an agency of Queensland care and support organisation UnitingCare, has entered into an agreement with the traditional owners of the land – the Kabi Kabi people – to sponsor 10 paid traineeships in horticulture and parks and gardens, creating employment for First Nations people in Noosa Shire and beyond.

“Individuals who complete the training over six-to-12 months will come away with hands-on and theoretical experience, as well as a formal Certificate III qualification in the field,” said manager of UnitingCare’s reconciliation action plan program Kym Korbe.

Wrap-around support will also be provided for the trainees, said Ms Korbe, “to help them achieve their individual career goals during the training period.”

Ms Korbe said Blue Care was sincere in supplying First Nations peoples with long-term employment across its services. “I would encourage anyone who might be interested in land preservation and caring for Country or people to contact us about this special opportunity, to work alongside experienced property and maintenance teams as well as specialist contractors in the Kabi Kabi region.”

Individuals interested in learning more about the Blue Care traineeships should contact UnitingCare’s reconciliation team on reconciliation@ucareqld.com.au or call First Nations workforce project officer Candice Hamilton on 0472 718 080.

Main image: artist’s impression of the Blue Care precinct

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Tags: blue care, First Nations, noosa, Sunrise Beach,

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