CareerTrackers

CareerTrackers creates professional career pathways for Indigenous university students. It matches students’ career aspirations with private sector employers who provide in-depth work experience in the form of paid internships.

There are 83,000 young Indigenous Australians living in our disadvantaged communities that are unable to access the educational and broader life opportunities they need to reach their full potential. The disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is continually highlighted across education and employment results and participation. Indigenous young people are half as likely to finish year twelve and are represented at university at about one-fifth the rate of their non-Indigenous peers.

The CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program is a non-profit social enterprise creating private sector internship opportunities for talented Indigenous university students. The program provides support and structure for both student and employer. All internships are merit based and program participants receive intensive interview and employability skills training before undergoing an employment selection process. Similarly, CareerTrackers prepare the employer for the intern providing cultural awareness training and structure to the intern’s workplace assignments.

CareerTrackers monitors the relationship between the intern and employer to ensure a meaningful experience and constructive feedback. It also provides academic support to help interns balance their study and work commitments. Through the CareerTrackers Alumni Association they can access continuing personal, professional and peer support. CareerTrackers is creating a community of Indigenous business professionals to serve as corporate and community role models.

Did you know?

• Indigenous Australians are three times more likely to be unemployed than non-indigenous Australians.
• Only one in seven Indigenous Australians are in highly skilled occupations.
• Only 39% of young Indigenous people are engaged in any form of formal employment.

Since 2010, CareerTrackers has grown rapidly, and as of 2015 1,138 interns have engaged with 86 employers.

CareerTrackers is the vital link that ensures those form disadvantaged backgrounds have the guidance they need to successfully transition from a learning environment to a rewarding career. Their work is critical to developing strong Indigenous business leaders and creating generational change.

Download the CareerTrackers 2015 impact report profile for more information (PDF, 229KB)