New pathway to employment through Kmart

First Nations and Torres Strait Islander young women will gain new pathways from education to employment under a new national partnership between Kmart Group and the Stars Foundation.

Having already achieved Indigenous workforce participation of 4.5 per cent across Kmart and Target which is in excess of population, the partnership expands Kmart Group’s Indigenous Employment Program and supports young women to transition into meaningful work – strengthening the Group’s commitment to reconciliation, economic participation and culturally safe workplaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Employment opportunities

The national partnership formalises an already established working relationship between the two organisations, spanning more than ten years. Many of Kmart Group’s Deadly Stores work closely with local Stars Programs – particularly across Western Australia and the Northern Territory – creating local education-to-employment opportunities.

Building on that success, the newly established formal partnership will now scale nationally, to increase education-to-employment pathways for Indigenous young women and is already delivering results, with one Stars Program participant set to start a management role at Kmart in Western Australia this month.

Stars Foundation has supported more than 1,300+ Alumnae since establishment in 2015 and is currently mentoring and empowering 4,300+ First Nations girls and young women across 80 programs in partner schools across Australia.

Through our long-standing partnership, Kmart Group continues to support employment-focused initiatives with Stars, helping to create pathways from education into meaningful work.

Meaningful work

“This partnership is about turning potential into real career opportunities for First Nations young women,” Tristram Gray, Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer at Kmart Group, said.

“We’ve already seen what’s possible at a local level — now we’re working towards scaling that impact nationally, creating clear, supported pathways from school into long-term, meaningful work.

By working alongside Stars Foundation, we’re aiming to provide the right support at the right time, so more young women can move confidently from education into employment.”

Stars Foundation Founder and CEO, Andrea Goddard, said formalising this partnership with Kmart Group is an important step in scaling opportunities for First Nations young women nationally, ensuring transition into meaningful, long-term work.

Training programs

“Experience shows that when First Nations young women are supported through school and into employment, the impact extends far beyond the individual – it strengthens families, communities and future generations,” Ms Goddard said.

“We commend Kmart Group on its leadership and commitment to joining Stars in its mission to improve education, health and employment outcomes for First Nations girls and young women.”

From this month, Kmart Group and the Stars Foundation will expand store-based relationships and deliver workshops through Stars Programs, while equipping store leaders to support First Nations young women and girls in their communities.