Director John Pearson said JPC and its affiliates Look Now Training, and, Indigenous Workstars were created because of his vision to play a leading and valued role in seeing Australia's first people realise their full potential and have the same opportunities as other Australians.

"I find real purpose and meaning knowing that I'm doing my absolute best to address the issues before us," Mr Pearson said.

"We are a company whose people are walking side-by-side, and hand-in-hand, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"During Reconciliation Week especially it is important that we take the time to talk about reconciliation and ensure that we are still focused on addressing the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"JPC prides itself on providing a truly unique and dedicated holistic service where we utilise the wisdom and knowledge of Elders and harness the strength and resilience of the Indigenous culture and traditions to achieve outstanding results."

The proof as they say is in the pudding with JPC's own workforce comprising over one third Indigenous employees.

In addition, through its Indigenous Workstars program, JPC has placed 194 people into fulltime employment in just the last 12 months.

Project Officer Tina Marion was so determined to join the company she readily admits to 'hounding' JPC for employment.

"I was given a two week temp assignment in March of 2011 and have been here ever since," Ms Marion said.

"I really wanted to work here because I'd heard that this company was really helping Indigenous people by providing relevant training to our community and I wanted to be a part of something so important.

"When I talk with our students they all tell me how excited and happy they are to be a part of their programs.

"There are so many issues facing Indigenous people and we have to show that we have an understanding of them and that's what makes our clients feel really valued."

Mr Pearson said JPC was careful to connect with Indigenous communities to ensure that the training programs provided by his company would provide real benefits toward employment outcomes or furthering the existing careers of Indigenous workers.

"Through partnerships with organisations such as TAFE and DEEWR, we have provided training to more than 400 Indigenous people since 2011," he said.

"This has included Certificate IV level qualifications in Alcohol and Other Drugs, and, Mental Health; developing programs to recognise the future leadership potential of Indigenous youth; Indigenous Workstars Employment placement, which now has a life of its own; and Resolution Retreats."

"We have delivered more than 30 training programs in the last 18 months, but more importantly I hope we are inspiring people to truly believe that dreams are achievable."

According to Ms Marion JPC is certainly achieving this goal, and not only for its clients.

"I am studying a Diploma of Business Management and am in the process of setting up my own Indigenous modelling, dance and casting agency Mundai Mundaingoor which means beautiful people in the Gubbi Gubbi language," Ms Marion said.

"I am not Gubbi Gubbi, but I have permission to use their words from Aunty Bev, a Gubbi Gubbi Elder.

"My Dad was part of the Stolen Generation and my tribe is the Pitta Pitta, from Boulia, near Mt Isa.

"I am so very proud to have such a rich heritage and work in an organisation that acknowledges and celebrates it with me."

For further information on training opportunities available through John Pearson
Consulting please call (07) 5313 8600 or visit www.jpearson.com.au