Former Origin Greats (FOGS) will tomorrow promote job opportunities for young Indigenous job seekers and students with help from local industry and businesses in Rockhampton. 

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Julie Collins said Indigenous Employment and Career Expos are a great chance for young Indigenous Australians to connect with employers and training providers and consider their career pathways.

FOGS Chairman Gene Miles will be at the Rockhampton Expo joined by fellow origin greats including Allan Langer, Steve Walters, Colin Scott, Gary Belcher, Michael Hancock and Steve Price.

Member for Capricornia Kirsten Livermore said there had been an overwhelming response from the Rockhampton business community who had really embraced the expo, with more than 50 exhibitors set to participate in 2012.

“We are expecting over 1,450 Indigenous school leavers and job seekers from the Rockhampton region to attend. They will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from organisations such as Construction Skills Queensland, Woolworths, Mercy Health and Aged Care and Westpac,” Ms Livermore said.

“Employers have a critical role to play by employing local people in local jobs. I am sure the expo will deliver great outcomes and opportunities for the Rockhampton community.”

The expo is one of seven FOGS Indigenous Employment and Careers Expos to be held across Queensland this year.

Now in their fourth successful year, the expos are a key part of promoting the Government’s Learn Earn Legend! campaign, which encourages young people to stay in school or training with the goal of finding long-term job opportunities.

“Our partnership with FOGS is all about promoting the message that we want young Indigenous people to stay in school and aspire to gaining secure jobs for themselves, as well as becoming leaders in their communities,” Ms Collins said.

Following the success of the 2011 FOGS Expos, the Australian Government has committed more than $2.4 million to FOGS which will support 21 events in 2012 and 2013 including the Employment and Careers Expos, employment forums and corporate events.

“These events build on the outstanding results from 2010 and 2011, with more than 27,000 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and job seekers attending FOGS events,” Ms Collins said. 

“These expos have proven results with 496 Indigenous people who attended the events in 2011 placed into employment or engaging in further training.

“This is an average of more than 70 employment and training outcomes per expo – a great result.” 

The expos are part of the Australian Government's commitment to close the gap on Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment outcomes.

The remaining FOGS Employment and Careers Expos for this year are:

• Brisbane, 12 September, Suncorp Stadium
• Toowoomba, 17 October, Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre