The plan is a Government commitment to developing a genuine partnership with the Aboriginal community through a number of initiatives including Connected Communities, Language and Culture Nests, Opportunity Hubs, Local Decision Making models and an independent Aboriginal Council chaired by a Coordinator General.

Opportunity Hubs are administered by Training Services.

The role of Opportunity Hubs

Opportunity Hubs aim to provide Aboriginal young people with the confidence and knowledge to follow a supported pathway between school and further education and/or employment. Opportunity Hubs support linkages between education and sustainable jobs for Aboriginal young people. They provide Aboriginal young people with clear pathways to employment opportunities by:

• partnering schools with local employers and training providers
• coordinating local opportunities including employment, mentoring, scholarships, internships and volunteer work
• matching local opportunities to Aboriginal students’ career aspirations that lead to jobs
• mentoring and supporting Aboriginal students each step of the way
• engaging Aboriginal students and their families early in their schooling school, and
• tracking Aboriginal students’ progress including once they have transitioned to employment.

Opportunity Hubs are local networks that develop personalised transition planning from school into tertiary education, training and/or employment for Aboriginal young people through the use of existing services.

Opportunity Hubs are responsible for:

• linking schools, employers, training providers, support services and Aboriginal communities
• coordinating career planning, mentoring and support services, cadetships, apprenticeships, part time employment and volunteering opportunities
• working with schools to assist Aboriginal young people to develop career aspirations, maximise retention and completion to year 12 or equivalent, and providing clear pathways to enable successful transitions to secondary school, sustainable employment and/or further education and training
• coordinating local opportunities, programs and resources to identify secure and sustainable job placements and match opportunities to Aboriginal students' career aspirations
• connecting Aboriginal students and their families to tertiary education and training pathways to align with students' career interests
• coordinating opportunities for Aboriginal young people that facilitate connection to culture, identity and community and support a holistic approach to their wellbeing
• consulting with key stakeholders in building partnerships, planning and reviewing the operations of the Opportunity Hub.

Opportunity Hub locations

The Opportunity Hubs are located in:

• Campbelltown
• Dubbo
• Tamworth
• Upper Hunter*
• Liverpool
• Greater Western Sydney (New)
  • The Greater Western Sydney Opportunity Hub is part of an implementation commitment under the Western Sydney City Deal.
    The following Local Government Area's (LGA's) will be serviced by the Greater Western Sydney Opportunity Hub; Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Burwood, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, Penrith, Strathfield and The Hills Shire.

* Currently non-operational

The locations of the Opportunity Hubs have been selected in consultation with local Aboriginal communities. These locations have a significant Aboriginal population of young people and will offer substantial employment, education and training opportunities.

Find more information on Opportunity Hubs and other OCHRE initiatives on the NSW Government's Aboriginal Affairs website.

More information

• OCHRE Opportunity Hubs factsheet

Find more information on Opportunity Hubs and other OCHRE initiatives on the NSW Government's Aboriginal Affairs website.

Contacts

Reach out to your local OCHRE Opportunity Hub contact for more information.