A Cairns woman named Rebecca Vella has been recognized nationally for helping indigenous people and those in remote areas find jobs. She has organized an employment program that has led to 15 people gaining work. Rebecca has been named a finalist for the National Employment Consultant of the Year Award for her commitment and achievements in employment services. The awards acknowledge the impact employment services have on people's lives through job opportunities and partnerships with employers. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the end of August.

1. Cairns Worker Announced as Finalist in
National Employment Awards
A young Cairns woman who has displayed incredible leadership and
compassion while working to find jobs for indigenous people living in
Cape York, the Torres Strait Islands and other remote areas has been
nationally recognised for her achievements.
Rebecca Vella’s incredible commitment has led to her being announced as one of four national
finalists for a prestigious National Employment Awards for Excellence.
Having moved from Victoria to Far North Queensland in 2010, Rebecca entered the employment
services industry and quickly found her feet. As an Employment Consultant with Jobfind Centres
Australia, Rebecca now works remotely out of the Cairns office.
One of her biggest achievements has been to organise for 18 job seekers to participate in a Civil
Construction Indigenous Employment Program, with 15 participants now looking to complete the
course and gain employment.
“I am so proud and astonished at the amount of changes I have seen in some clients, and there
is nothing more satisfying than finding out the job seekers I have [found work for] are still
employed,” Rebecca said in a statement to the Awards judges. She gave the example of a
young indigenous man who loved airplanes. After helping him to find employment an aviation
detailer, he is now saving to afford pilot lessons!
Rebecca will vie for the National Employment Consultant of the Year Award, sponsored by
Brookfield Multiplex. Three other awards will be announced at the same presentation: The
National Champion Employer of the Year Award recognises employers who have taken on
former job seekers through Australia’s Employment and related services and The Achiever of
the Year Award, also sponsored by Brookfield Multiplex, recognises those who work with
employers to help job seekers.
New to the awards this year is the Award for Innovation and Service Excellence, sponsored by
the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, recognising
employment services projects that have delivered participation outcomes for people
experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
The National Employment Awards are hosted by the National Employment Services
Association, the peak body for providers of employment and related services, and are now in
their eighth year.
NESA CEO, Sally Sinclair, said “The employment services industry in Australia is all about
helping people into sustained employment. These awards recognise the achievements of the
dedicated professionals who are working in this sector and showcase the outstanding efforts of
the job seekers and employers with whom we work.”
“The NESA Awards for Excellence truly acknowledge the direct and lasting impact that
employment services have on people’s lives, and the support that comes from the partnerships
formed with employers who are committed to giving someone a go.” she said.
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at The Hilton Sydney on Thursday 30 August.
…/ends
Media Contact:
Nichole Seymore, Awards Absolute
P: 1300 88 22 59 / +61 7 5446 4299
E: nesa@awardsabsolute.com
NESA Contact:
Veronica McGowan
P: 0415 280 917
*NESA – National Employment Services Association
Monday 28 August 2012 MEDIA RELEASE