RLSSWA Senior Manager Workforce Solutions, Travis Doye, with Jay McLean and RLSSWA CEO Peter Leaversuch at Yagan Square
Talent Pool creating futures for indigenous youth
Royal Life Saving WA recently extended its service agreement with Development WA to include the operation and maintenance of the water feature at Yagan Square. A key element behind this partnership was Royal Life Saving WA’s commitment to engage, train and employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at this site.
For many years Royal Life Saving WA has built strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across regional WA and the Perth metropolitan area, and recently released its REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan to formalise this commitment and highlight the organisation’s desire to provide Indigenous people with genuine opportunities to engage in water safety education and obtain aquatic qualifications that lead to employment within WA’s aquatic industry.
To date Royal Life Saving WA is proud to have trained and employed two young Indigenous people at the Yagan Square site, Kallen Champion and Jay McLean. Kallen went through our Talent Pool program, completing his training and development in his hometown of Kalgoorlie before relocating to Perth where he was employed by obtained employment with Royal Life Saving.
Jay McLean has worked alongside our Workforce Solutions Operators for over 12 months now as a key member of the Talent Pool team. His training has included on the job experience & mentoring, participation in RLSSWA Group1 Pool Operations training, followed by completion of his required hours and assignment handbook.
Jay recently obtained his Group 1 Pool Operations Certification & progressed from a trainee role to becoming a permanent and highly valued member of Royal Life Saving’s Workforce Solutions team. Royal Life Saving WA’s Senior Manager Workforce Solutions, Travis Doye, says not only has Jay helped to ensure ongoing compliance against the organisation’s contractual requirements at Yagan Square, he has also been a significant driving force behind our Reconciliation journey.
“Whilst Jay has achieved a number of industry qualifications throughout his time with the organisation, it has been Jay’s willingness to share his experiences and cultural knowledge as an up and coming young Nyoongar leader that has had such a massive impact on Royal Life Saving and its staff.
Jay is now a permanent part of our Workforce Solutions team and is equally committed to assist us in encouraging other young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to engage with Royal Life Saving’s Talent Pool program. Through this program the organisation is actively working with the aquatic industry to generate entry level and ongoing employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Organisations and individuals interested in working with Royal Life Saving to promote and deliver the Talent Pool program can find out more and contact our program coordinator at the link below.
