Help for jobseekers

The Wirrpanda Foundation Kwinana employment program has proven a success, with 25 Aboriginal men gaining full-time jobs since September.

Kwinana father and son Murrey Ford and Murrey Ford Jr gained jobs with Monadelphous Engineering and Evolution Commercial respectively.

Kwinana programs manager Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls said the program connected men with employers, sparked job interest, broke down barriers and built confidence.

“Everyone comes in at different levels,” he said. “Some come in ready for work... while others come in who have been out of work for over 10 years.”

Mr Ford Jr said he was a welder, but had been out of work for a year.

“I suppose I was stuck in limbo because of a bit of trouble and I came here and Jarrad and the team have helped me get back on the right track,” he said.

“At the moment there are more opportunities out there for indigenous people than there has ever been.”

His father said after a 20-year career as an automotive spray painter, he decided to make a change and moved into the industrial painting industry. After two jobs, both lasting a year, he was demoted in December.

By connecting with the program, Mr Ford said he was able to reconnect with an old employer, Monodelphous Engineering, and secured a job in Port Hedland.

He encouraged young and old to seek help at the foundation.

Mr Oakley-Nicholls said 85 men had connected with the program.

“To have 85 men stick their hand up and actually come to us, it shows that the community is embracing the Wirrpanda Foundation and it is a great honour for us to be able to come to Kwinana and help people in whichever way we can,” he said.