Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development and Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today announced the highly successful Former Origin Greats (FOGS) Indigenous Employment and Career expos would continue in 2011.

The 2011 FOGS Indigenous Employment and Career expos are a key part of promoting the Government’sLearn. Earn. Legend!program, encouraging young people to stay in school or training with the goal of finding long-term jobs and job opportunities.

Senator Arbib said the FOGS expos were a fantastic opportunity for Indigenous Australians to meet potential employers, education providers and corporate partners around Queensland.

“Queensland FOGS is a fantastic initiative that is in its eighth year. These former rugby league greats are committed to closing the gap for Indigenous Australians by providing employment and career assistance,” Senator Arbib said.

“The FOGS expos, together with theLearn. Earn. Legend!program provide the opportunity for young Indigenous Australians to engage with sporting role models and learn from their success stories.

“The FOGS and Rugby League legends understand the problems that face young Indigenous Australians and are in a unique position to reach students, job seekers and employers to promote successful education and job outcomes.”

In 2011 FOGS Indigenous Employment and Career expos are planned for Cairns, Rockhampton, Mt Isa, Mackay, Brisbane and Townsville and crowd numbers are expected to exceed last year’s 13,500 young Indigenous job seekers who attended the expos.

FOGS CEO Gene Miles will spearhead the events, encouraging school principals, employers and education providers across Queensland to support Indigenous young people into successful careers.

“At each expo there are a host of Queensland State of Origin heroes on hand to inspire the kids to be all that they can be. It’s a truly unique environment for Indigenous school leavers and job seekers to kick start their careers,” Mr Miles said.

“We’d like the expos to continue to grow each year and in 2011 we are promoting events with a TV commercial with the support of our media partner WIN Television that will feature Australia, Queensland and Broncos star Sam Thaiday.”

For more information about the 2010 FOGS Indigenous Employment and Careers Expos visit http://www.fogs.com.au