Cherbourg Service Centre celebrates one-year anniversary
- Cherbourg service centre celebrates one-year anniversary
- The number of jobs has risen from 8 to 30 in 12 months
- Part of a three-year program to open career pathways On Country
The first First Nations Call Centre and digital service centre to operate in a remote Indigenous community has celebrated its first birthday in Cherbourg.
The number of jobs at the service centre has increased from 8 to 30 since it opened in March last year, with another cohort of potential trainees about to begin their journey tomorrow (Tuesday, March 21).
Staff provide IT support for people living in regional and rural Queensland, especially Indigenous people living in remote areas.
Quotes attributable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford:
“This First Nations Call Centre is part of a three-year pilot program to support digital transformation in the Cherbourg community, with the potential to expand the service,” he said.
“Most of the trainees are residents of the Cherbourg community or have family connections to the community.
“The aim is to build independence for Indigenous Queenslanders, digital literacy skills and creating real jobs on Country, as we work towards a Path to Treaty.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith:
“The Palaszczuk Government worked hand in hand with the community, Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, TAFE Queensland and foundation customer Fujitsu to establish the centre at the TAFE Queensland Nurunderi Campus,” he said.
“The program takes on trainees who are employed by the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council. The trainees work in a Call Centre environment hosted at the TAFE Queensland Cherbourg campus.
“While the trainees work on the job, they study the Certificate III in Business at the Cherbourg campus.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari:
“Advance Queensland funding of about $114,000 through the Deadly Innovation Strategy’s First Nations Digital Transformation Project helped complete the initial business case.
“A further $35,391 was paid to Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council to cover the first 12-month digital connectivity contract with StarLink Australia.
“It’s now a fully community-owned and operated enterprise, with revenue reinvested for the benefit of the enterprise and the community.”
