Indigenous Allied Health Australia has partnered with leading IT asset lifecycle management company Greenbox to support Aboriginal health students and promote sustainability.
This partnership strengthens Indigenous Allied Health Australia's (IAHA) purpose to grow and empower the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce through supportive and culturally safe education, training and employment pathways, while also contributing to digital equity and environmentally responsible practices.
The collaboration will see Greenbox provide repurposed and secure IT equipment to support IAHA's programs, including the innovative IAHA National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy.
The Academy program, which operates in five regions nationally, empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to complete a school-based traineeship, a supportive step on their education, training and career journey.
IAHA says access to technology is critical for learning, connection, and opportunity, with the collaboration helping remove barriers in an environmentally conscious way.
"Particularly in the modern landscape we see the impact that access to reliable IT can have for students and their families in accessing services, knowledge and opportunity," Jawoyn woman and IAHA Deputy Chief Executive Officer Kylie Stothers said.
"This includes at school, in their university or VET studies and clinical placements, and beyond, as they transition to the workforce".
IAHA currently supports more than 170 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander year 11 and 12 students to finish year 12 and a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance.
More than 85 per cent of students finish the program, and of these a similar number continue into further study or jobs.
"This partnership with Greenbox aligns with our commitment to environmentally responsible practices and provides a great opportunity," Ms Stothers said.
"Alongside the other supports we offer students, to be able to facilitate free access to quality, refurbished technology will enhance learning environments for our young people and their families, which provide them with the confidence and skills to excel for life".
Greenbox says it supports the vision of culturally safe, prosperous futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and communities.
"We believe in creating value not just through technology, but through meaningful impact," Greenbox Chief Executive Officer, Ross Thompson said.
IAHA says the collaboration reflects the importance of culturally responsive, cross-sectoral partnerships to close the gap in health, education, training and employment outcomes.
The say it sets a powerful example of how industry can partner with Indigenous community-controlled organisations to work together to promote innovation, economic development, and sustainability.
Corporate and philanthropic partners interested in supporting the work of IAHA to improve education, training, employment and health outcomes can do so via the IAHA website.
