Pacific Services Group, a fully-owned Aboriginal construction business, has just been appointed by the NSW Government to construct a $20 million Aboriginal Centre for Excellence in Western Sydney. The Centre has been designed to support young Aboriginal people in making the transition from school into further employment and education.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Aboriginal Centre for Excellence will provide vital support for young Aboriginal people in realising their dreams in their chosen field of work or study.
“It is so fitting to be making this announcement during NAIDOC Week, which celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal people right across the country,” said the Premier.
Aboriginal Affairs NSW has shared that Western Sydney has a significant Aboriginal population and is also an area of notable population and economic growth, making it a particularly good location to hold the new centre, aiming to assist young Aboriginals to ‘seize opportunities stemming from this region’s growth’.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell announced that Pacific Services Group was the ‘perfect fit for the project’, also stating that the 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned construction business had ‘fantastic’ ambitions for the project. Pacific Services has stated plans of striving to achieve 50 per cent direct employment of Aboriginal Australians, and 20 per cent sub-contractor engagement during the centre’s development.
The new facility has received a positive response from Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres.
“When the NSW Government committed $20 million for the establishment of the centre, we wanted to ensure young Aboriginal people are equipped to seize the opportunities stemming from this growth and investment,” Mr Ayres said.
Construction will begin on the Aboriginal Centre for Excellence later this month, with doors expected to open in November 2018. For more information on the project, please click here.