Coles boost Kwinana indigenous workforce

Coles have recruited 12 new indigenous team members across its stores in Kwinana, Byford, Gosnells, Gateway and Beeliar stores following a pre-employment retail training program.

The new team members celebrated the completion of their training program at a graduation ceremony on Wednesday before commencing their employment with the company.

The First Steps program assists Coles to recruit, train and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members over two weeks and provides mentoring for the first six months of employment.

“We’re really proud of our First Steps program, which offers support during training and post-placement to ensure our graduates can thrive in their new roles,” said Coles state general manager Mark O’Connor.

“It is great to have 12 new indigenous recruits join our stores at Kwinana and surrounding suburbs.

“There are currently more than 395 indigenous team members in Western Australia and I look forward to this number growing.”

All participants that complete the program will be offered part-time work with Coles, which provides consistent hours each week.

Developed by Coles in 2011, the First Steps program has resulted in more than 700 additional indigenous team members.