Warumilang

“TO SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE”
From the Djab wurrung people

AFL SportsReady believes that education and employment are vital for people to successfully participate in society. AFL SportsReady’s vision is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have the same opportunities as other Australians to start their careers with confidence, qualifications and skills.

We acknowledge the history and the past injustices that have led to the current inequality and disadvantage experienced by many Indigenous people. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing opportunities for Indigenous people to overcome these barriers by providing a pathway to meaningful and fulfilling education and employment.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program, Warumilang, represents the support and opportunities created for Indigenous people through quality education and employment. We focus on strengthening relationships, promoting respect and creating employment and education opportunities for young Indigenous people.

We have kick-started the careers of over 1,500 Indigenous trainees since 2000

AFL SportsReady acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the original custodians of this land and pays its respects to all Indigenous people. We acknowledge the spiritual, physical and cultural connection Indigenous people have with country as the first people of the land.

• Traineeships

  

  AFL SportsReady believes in a fair and united Australia, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the same opportunities and access to education, training and employment as other Australians.

  We are committed to ‘closing the gap’ by offering a number of jobs/traineeships specifically for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our 12-month traineeships are ‘appreciticeships for the office’, combining full-time work with study. It’s the ideal mix of:

  • Practical experience in the workplace
  • Formal qualification (Certificate II, III, IV and Diploma level)

  However, we acknowledge that Indigenous Australians can face many challenges at the beginning and throughout their career journey. To help mitigate these difficulties, we provide all our Indigenous trainees with a personal ‘support team’, which includes.

  • AN EXCLUSIVE INDIGENOUS MENTOR provides personal and career pathway support.
  • A DEDICATED FIELD OFFICER to assist the work placement and ensure success.
  • AN EDUCATOR / TEACHER provides the education component of the traineeship

  Our trainees and partners are supported every step of the way, which creates a productive working environment.

  Our traineeships are typically entry-level opportunities and are primarily aimed at:

  • Indigenous Australians
  • Both male and females
  • Young Australians aged between 16-21 years old
  • High school students in year 10, 11 or 12
  • Recent high school graduates or leavers
• VTEC

  Working in partnership with GenerationOne and the Federal Government, AFL SportsReady is delivering Vocational Training and Employment Centres’ (VTEC) in both Victoria and Tasmania.

  Our aim is to connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers with employment and provide a range of support services, preparing them for long-term employment.

  We have been working with Aboriginal communities across Australia for nearly 20 years and have placed over 1500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in jobs since 2000.

  We help Indigenous jobseekers by providing the following:

  • Support to find a job
  • Resume writing and help in preparing for interviews
  • Pre-employment training
  • Workplace support and Indigenous mentoring for up to 6 months
  • Access to networking activities with other Indigenous employees

  We help organisations employ Indigenous Australians by providing the following services:

  • Identify and engage the right candidates
  • Match suitable candidates to job opportunities
  • Prepare candidates for employment with industry-specific training
  • Mentor candidates whilst in the workplace to help keep them on track
  • Deliver Cultural Awareness training to management and relevant staff
  • Provide workplace support for six months to meet any challenges you or your employee may have

  AFL SportsReady works with employment partners across the following industries:

  • Sport and Recreation
  • Business and Administration
  • State and Local Government
  • Arts and Creative Industries
  • Banking and Finance
  • Information Technology
  • Horticulture
  • Hospitality
  • Retail

  If you are an Indigenous jobseeker or part of an organisation looking to employ Indigenous staff, contact us using the link below.

  Contact Us

  The VTEC initiative is funded by the Australian Government and is based on the GenerationOne employment model.

• Footy Means Business

  

  AFL SportsReady delivers the AFL Footy Means Business program, in partnership with Rio Tinto. The program provides 50 Indigenous men, aged 18 to 24 years, with exposure to elite AFL programs and training, along with networking opportunities in corporate environments.

  The AFL Rio Tinto Footy Means Business Program is a stand out platform that recognises that Australian Football develops transferable skills that can be taken into the workplace and back into the community.

  Young Indigenous men from across Australia benefit from being part of the program, which focuses on development and talent opportunities.

  Participants are selected based on football ability, engagement with their communities and their potential to serve as a positive role model.

  The program involves the participation in two camps:

  • Darwin: Off-field professional development with a focus on community and cultural identity pillars.
  • Melbourne: Focus on leadership development, including a cultural walk, training sessions at Richmond and Essendon Football Clubs and media exposure at Channel 7 studios.

  Each year, the program coincides with the Toyota AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round culminating in the opportunity to play in the Rio Tinto Cup, which is the curtain-raiser match to Dreamtime at the G.

  Participants are selected based on football ability, engagement with their communities and their potential to serve as a positive role model. Participants must be:

  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • Not engaged in AFL or Second Tier competition
  • Employed (part-time or apprenticeships accepted) or undertaking education/training or involved in community programs
  • Aspirational
  • Display leadership qualities

  Rio Tinto is one of the largest private sector employers of Indigenous men and women in Australia. Alongside the AFL, Rio Tinto is now in its sixth year of involvement in the leadership development program Footy Means Business.

  Find Out More