The acclaimed Aboriginal Power Cup will reach new heights in its eighth season next year thanks to a new partnership that will help Aboriginal high school graduates transition into full-time employment.
The new partnership between Maxima, the Port Adelaide Football Club, Renewal SA and Anglicare aims to identify traineeships, apprenticeships and contracts from the club’s corporate partners to aid the move of 40 Aboriginal students into the workforce.
The school-to-work project will add to the Aboriginal Power Cup, which is funded by Santos and the South Australian Government, and continues to kick goals after seven successful years of educational outcomes being achieved in the classroom and on the football field.
Players and staff from Port Adelaide work with Aboriginal students in schools to encourage school attendance and SACE completion through a successful football program. Students who complete Year 12 will now be offered employment pathways and a range of additional support services.
Maxima have funded a full-time position to facilitate employment for 40 students in 2015.
Renewal SA and Our Port will identify 10 positions within the Port Adelaide district and employment opportunities in the area will be offered to graduates who are local residents.
Renewal SA’s chief executive John Hanlon says the opportunity to expand the Aboriginal Power Cup into better delivering employment opportunities was of great appeal, particularly in the ongoing move to renew the traditional Port Adelaide area.
"The Aboriginal Power Cup school to work project is a great example of how urban renewal can benefit the communities we work in,” Mr Hanlon said.
“This partnership enables the Aboriginal Power Cup to expand by providing training and employment opportunities that will benefit the local community.
“The program will provide traineeships, apprenticeships and employment contracts for young Aboriginal students who have completed Year 12.
“It will also offer support, mentoring and cultural awareness for employers when employing Aboriginal young people.”
Darren Adamson is the General Manger of Power Community Ltd – the community development arm of the Port Adelaide Football Club.
He has encouraged businesses to join with the club and identify employment opportunities for program graduates.
“We’re really thrilled to have Maxima, Anglicare and Renewal SA on board for this new project, which is another string in the bow of the Aboriginal Power Cup,” Mr Adamson said.
“We’ll be working with our partners at Maxima to general employment opportunities and AnglicareSA to provide social support to Aboriginal Power Cup graduates and their families as they look to transition into work.
“And the chance to generate local employment opportunities, especially through traineeships and apprenticeships, is something we’re hoping our corporate partners will get behind.”
Businesses looking to become program partnerships can contact Nick Arundel, Aboriginal Employment Consultant, at narundel@pafc.com.au.
