The latest recruits to the program will complete a 13-week residential program based at Dugalunji camp, east of Camooweal, receiving pre-employment training, life skills training and experience in operating and maintaining heavy equipment.

From there, Myuma and the Dugalunji Aboriginal Corporation will liaise with mining companies in the region to try to source jobs for those who complete the course.

The program has benefited from $1.25 million in funding from the federal government as part of a broader focus from the government, with $650 million earmarked over the next four years as part of the Indigenous Employment Program.

Another $50 million has been put aside to help fund the Indigenous Youth Careers Pathway Program.

Senator for Queensland Jan Mclucas said the interests of both industry and government would be served by helping indigenous Australians find and keep work.

“It is important that indigenous Australians in our more remote areas, like the Cape and Gulf, have access [to] training and employment opportunities,” she said.

“The mining and civil construction industries are demanding skilled workers and this project is equipping local indigenous people with the skills, confidence and knowledge to be part of these growing fields.

“Creating pathways to real jobs is a fundamental part of closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.”

The federal government is aiming to create more than 100,000 jobs for indigenous Australians by 2018.

This story first appeared on ILN's sister publication MiningNews.net.