ELEVEN schools in the Dubbo region are using the new Ochre Opportunity Hub to help support Aboriginal children and youth in completing their education and finding jobs.
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The hub will be officially launched at the Yarradamarra Centre at TAFE Western's Dubbo Myall Street Campus on November 19, after opening its doors in July.
It is part of a pilot program initiated by Aboriginal Affairs and funded by State Training Services.
Three other hubs have been set up at the Upper Hunter, Campbelltown and Tamworth.
TAFE Western won the tender to run the hub at Dubbo.
Co-ordinator of the hub Belinda Solomon said it provided young Aboriginal people with the confidence and knowledge to "follow a supported pathway" between secondary school and further education and/or employment.
"The main focus of the opportunity hub is to build partnerships between schools, employers, education and training providers and the local community to co-ordinate and match employment, training and further education opportunities to individual students' needs," she said.
Miss Solomon said services were available to Aboriginal students from years 5 to 12, with 11 schools in the Dubbo region currently utilising the hub's facilities.
"Once the student completes school it is our job to assist them into education or employment, mentoring them through that process for the next 12 months," she said.
"This process includes assisting with interviews, resumes, job applications, taking them to registered training organisations and group training organisations and anything else that can assist the students on a meaningful pathway to full-time employment or study."
The hub also runs an eight-week Aboriginal cultural identity workshop and provides one-off events for students, such as career expos and guest speaker sessions.