In mid September 2007, 15 enthusiastic job seekers relocated to Darwin to take part in the inaugural Outback Stores Store Manager training programme which—upon completion—would qualify them to carry out the role of ‘Store Manager’ in remote Indigenous communities.

Outback Stores, a subsidiary company of Indigenous Business Australia, was established in August 2006 to make a positive difference in the health and economy of Indigenous communities by providing quality retail stores. Funded in part by the Mature Age Industry Strategy, the eight week Store Manager training programme will ensure that quality retail stores run by suitably qualified people are available to Indigenous people who live in remote parts of Australia.

All 15 participants successfully completed the intensive Store Manager training programme, and on 9 November the graduating class were presented with Certificate II in Retail Operations and Store Manager Training Programme Certificates.

Chosen from a broad range of applicants, the November 2007 graduating class includes single as well as husband and wife teams, with some having previous qualifications and experience running their own businesses, while others had no previous retail experience. Some participants had never been to an Indigenous community in Australia prior to participating in the programme. Despite their diverse backgrounds, all of the newly qualified store managers do have two things in common—they are all committed to the challenges ahead and ready to embark on a new exciting life direction.

Each participant received a salary from day one and now, as a qualified ‘Store Manager’, will negotiate a salary package and benefits including housing, power subsidies, annual return airfares and generous leave entitlements.

A second round of training for a further 15 participants is planned for February 2008. For more information contact Michelle Roberts on (08) 8982 1952.