ETC Helping Build Career Path for Indigenous

"This is a great opportunity for Indigenous youth to build a career, learn a trade and not have to leave the area," ETC's Kempsey and South West Rocks employment services manager Leeanne Stewart said.

Ms Stewart said the jobseekers had been employed by Skilled Port Macquarie to do a Certificate II in Civil Construction through TAFE with on the job training provided by Abigroup.

Paul Fletcher from Skilled said a local skill shortage in civic construction prompted local service providers to work together to create this opportunity for Indigenous youth in Kempsey. This included ETC, Central West Community College, ACES and AES.

"This is a unique partnership that will set up work for the trainees and apprentices for the rest of their lives," Mr Fletcher said.

"There is so much work in this area for the next 8-10 years with all the highway upgrades planned."

Abigroup's systems manager Mr Guthrie said the skills the new employees would be learning included: concreting, carpentry, working with cranes, earthworks and plant management, welding and boiler making and plan reading.

"It's important for Abigroup to foster and develop Indigenous participation in construction," Mr Guthrie said.

"We work in a lot of economically depressed communities and it's great to provide a positive injection into the economy and self-pride into those we employ."

Mr Guthrie said the new 3.2 km long Kempsey Bridge was on track to be completed in early 2013.