Training Updates

Outback Stores remains committed to providing meaningful employment, career pathways and an opportunity to complete nationally accredited training for local people while remaining on country.

Outback Stores’ annual goal is not only to eliminate barriers to employment, but also to provide significant career pathways for those in remote communities. Last year, we had 342 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed in community stores, making up 85% of all store staff. This achievement demonstrates our dedication to Indigenous employment and its positive impact on our communities. We are proud to offer these employment opportunities and equally committed to empowering local store staff to pursue a nationally accredited qualification through our training program, fostering personal growth and professional development.

We are proud to see many young aspiring retailers making progress through our retail management pathway. Over 30 store team members have completed either a Certificate II, III, or IV in their retail qualification. This demonstrates a positive trend towards engaged and committed staff in remote communities who are creating a career pathway through on-the-job learning and vocational education and training (VET).

As directors, we have a better understanding of how the business is doing.

– Nicholas Williams

This year, Outback Stores is working together again with the Ngurratjuta/ Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation to provide valuable training and mentoring opportunities to residents in remote communities such as Papunya, Mt Liebig, Nyirripi, and Haasts Bluff. We received an excellent response from the four community stores last year. This program delivers positive employment and training results for the communities.

The training department is establishing  connections with third-party stakeholders including the Department of Education, GTNT Group Organisation, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, as well as the Western Australia Department of Training and Workforce Development. Our focus for the next 12 months is to increase VET capacity within our registered training organisation (RTO) and boost Indigenous training and employment numbers. Outback Stores remains committed to providing meaningful  employment, career pathways and an opportunity to complete nationally accredited training for local people while remaining on country.

This story was first published in the Outback Stores Annual Report 2023-2024.