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Unlocking Cultural Pathways to Employment

Cowboys house students Narzaliah and Elianah Unlocking Cultural Pathways to Employement | BDmag | July 2024

A local organisation is bridging the gap between Indigenous youth and workplace training by providing secondary students with the opportunities needed to thrive in the workforce.

Managed by the Cowboys Community Foundation, NRL Cowboys House serves as a culturally safe home away from home for Indigenous students from some of Australia’s most remote and geographically disadvantaged communities.

In addition to overcoming distance as a barrier to access a quality secondary education, the House also offers comprehensive education and transition support through high school, including work experience and real-world employment preparation, ensuring students are ready to excel in their careers upon graduation.

Cowboys Community Foundation Chief Executive Officer Fiona Pelling highlights the transformative impact the House has on its 100 young residents, who leave home and come to Townsville to access education parity through a choice of 13 quality secondary schools who partner with the House.

“We are committed to breaking down geographic barriers and ensuring these students have the same education, training and employment opportunities as their urban or regional peers,” Fiona says.

“Our mission is to empower these young people with the skills and confidence to achieve their goals.

NRL Cowboys House
Current student Tshack is one step closer to being job ready, as he adds his Learner’s Licence to the board.

“Our dedicated teams work closely with each student to understand and develop their strengths and career aspirations, supporting them from year 7 through to year 12 and beyond, whether that’s employment or further training here in Townsville or back in their home communities,” she adds.

Statistically, Australia’s Indigenous population is underrepresented in employment data, with these statistics worsening in more remote areas where limited employment opportunities exist.

Fiona emphasises the importance of role models in empowering young people.

“NRL Cowboys House has a strong focus on leadership development – we see our students as future leaders both within the House and in their wider communities,” she says.

“We nurture their leadership skills so they can become trailblazers in their workplaces and as role models back home.”

Each year, NRL Cowboys House averages between fifteen to eighteen year 12 graduates, many are now employed in various jobs, traineeships, and apprenticeships around Townsville, or attending further education pathways with TAFE or university.

One of those graduates is Isaiah Kepa from the Torres Strait, who began his apprenticeship with Tropic Roofing and Plumbing at the end of 2023, something he says he wouldn’t have achieved without the House’s support.

“Cowboys House was awesome, we had lots of help,” says Isaiah. “I was looking for work, they organised it and set up the interview. They helped with my resume and white card.”

Isaiah says he plans to work in Townsville for a few years to gain further trade experience but is eager to take those skills back home to contribute to his community.

Michael Mahoney and apprentice Isaiah Kepa.
(Image credit: Kaitlyn De Lai)

With current skill shortages across various industries, Tropic Roofing and Plumbing owner Michael Mahoney says finding an apprentice was made easy when he came in contact with NRL Cowboys House.

“At the end of the day, Isaiah is job-ready – he’s ready to go,” Michael says.

“He’s had a bit of experience with our side in plumbing, it makes it easier that he knows what he’s in for. Under tradesman supervision, Isaiah’s doing jobs on his own – he’s changing tapware, he’s doing flood pressure tests, he’s fixing toilets on his own, and just growing as a person.”

NRL Cowboys House also offers a post year 12 transition program to ensure students have ongoing support after high school graduation.

“Often, they’ll graduate, complete an apprenticeship or a qualification, and either stay or move on to work elsewhere, but we continue to support them through that journey,” Fiona says.

“We often have their younger family members at the House still completing their secondary schooling so being able to maintain that family connection is very important.”

Fiona says the importance of maintaining students’ connection with their culture and community, both at the House and in the workforce is critical.

“We invite our corporate partners to all House events where they get to know our students and more about where they come from,” she says.

“Most of our partners are really interested in what they can learn from our students so they can create the right employment environment supporting the needs of young people and all that they bring.

“This interaction empowers our students to confidently share their ideas and their culture with others.”

She says there are multiple ways for local businesses to get involved to support the Cowboys Community Foundation and its programs such as NRL Cowboys House.

“We offer a corporate volunteer experience at North Queensland Cowboys games, where businesses can help sell raffle tickets or choose Cowboys Community Foundation as their charity for fundraisers,” she says.

“We also encourage local businesses to offer work experience or apprenticeship pathways to our students, as they have the power to make a significant impact.”


Main image:
 NRL Cowboys House students Narzaliah and Elianah.

Images supplied by NRL Cowboys House.

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Picture of Kaitlyn De Lai

Kaitlyn De Lai

Kaitlyn is one of our Marketing and PR Officers at BDmag and Creative Concepts PR. She completed her Bachelor of Communications and Media through the University of Southern Queensland in 2023.
Picture of Kaitlyn De Lai

Kaitlyn De Lai

Kaitlyn is one of our Marketing and PR Officers at BDmag and Creative Concepts PR. She completed her Bachelor of Communications and Media through the University of Southern Queensland in 2023.