400 Indigenous student interns over 10 years

Westpac Group has signed a 10-year contract with CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship program to recruit at least 40 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander university student interns each year for the next decade.  This is the largest commitment to the CareerTrackers program by an Australian corporate.  

 

Westpac Group’s Christine Parker, Group Executive Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, said this initiative was part of the Group’s plans to create meaningful career opportunities for Indigenous Australians, as outlined in its 2014-17 Reconciliation Action Plan. 

 

“This agreement marks a significant milestone in our relationship with CareerTrackers and in our commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to prosper and grow,” Ms Parker said. 

 

“Since becoming a foundation partner of CareerTrackers in 2011, we’ve been impressed by the value it has created for the 45 talented young Indigenous students who have come through Westpac, eager to embark on their careers.

 

“It’s also given us a great opportunity to tap into some of the best university students in Australia, with some of our interns now full time employees with us.

 

“Dialling up the number of our interns so significantly over the coming decade will help open doors for many more talented Indigenous students, many of whom we hope will enjoy long successful careers with Westpac Group.” 

 

CareerTrackers CEO Michael Combs said he was thrilled the partnership with Westpac had been extended for a further 10 years. 

 

“The ongoing, long term commitment announced by Westpac today is a reflection of the positive results and great momentum CareerTrackers is continuing to achieve,” Mr Combs said.

 

“It also provides certainty that a further 400 Indigenous students will benefit from accelerating their professional development, opening doors to careers following their passions, participating in tailored development training and contributing to their communities.

 

“This agreement puts us well on track to meeting our aim to have 300 ‘alumni’ by 2017 – having both graduated from university and CareerTrackers,” he said.

 

For more information visit

 

• Westpac’s living Reconciliation Action Plan
• CareerTrackers

 

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• @WestpacSustain
• @CareerTrackers
• #IndigenousX