Moving the Mob helps First Nations participants build confidence, connection and pathways to work in Dysart

For First Nations participants living in regional communities, access to culturally safe employment support can make a meaningful difference. In Dysart, about 270km from Mackay, IntoJobs (delivered by MRAEL) has supported participants through outreach services and the Moving the Mob program, helping participants to build confidence, strengthen cultural connection and explore local employment pathways in a small town where opportunities can be limited.

Moving the Mob was delivered over three days in Dysart, creating a supportive environment where First Nations participants could connect with one another, reflect on their goals and build practical employment readiness. The program included employer meet-and-greets, motivation and goal-setting activities, cultural capability sessions, discussions about Country and Place, and conversations about cultural safety in the workplace.

This kind of support is especially important in regional areas, where participants can face barriers such as isolation, limited local job options, reduced access to training, and uncertainty about re-entering the workforce. By bringing participants, trainers, community connections and local employers together in one place, Moving the Mob helps create a bridge between personal confidence, cultural identity and employment opportunity.

Participants described the program as engaging, educational and empowering. One participant said it was “very engaging, fun, and educational”, while another said it was “awesome – helping me gain confidence, experience, and be more social”. Others reflected on the value of reconnecting with culture, with one participant sharing that the program helped them recognise “what I need to do within my family to help find what is missing” and rebuild personal strength and identity.

For Lezley, an outreach participant living in Dysart, this type of local support proved life changing. After spending time away from the workforce to raise her children, Lezley was feeling anxious and unsure about how to take the next step back into employment. Like many people in regional communities, she was navigating the challenge of rebuilding confidence while also looking for accessible opportunities close to home.

Her IntoJobs mobile employment consultant, Maire, supported her to enrol in a local First Aid course, which gave Lezley the chance to gain a vocational qualification and reconnect with a learning environment. The course also helped her become more comfortable interacting with others in a group setting, building the confidence she needed to see herself back in the workforce.

That step soon led to a practical employment outcome. Lezley went on to secure work at the same venue where the training was held, turning a local learning opportunity into a pathway back into employment. Her experience shows how personalised, place-based support can help participants overcome uncertainty, build momentum and take meaningful steps towards independence.

Lezley’s story reflects the broader impact of Moving the Mob: giving First Nations participants in regional areas a culturally safe space to learn, connect and grow, while also linking them with practical training, local employers and meaningful employment opportunities.