The Department of Human Services (DHS) has launched a recruitment drive for South Australia’s new Aboriginal Language Interpreting Service.
Announcing the drive, Chief Executive of DHS, Lois Boswell said the new Service’s work was expected to assist State Agencies, Authorities and businesses to improve spoken communication and outcomes for First Nations people.
Ms Boswell said recruitment for the Service had begun with casual employment opportunities available for interpreters throughout many parts of the State.
She said the Service was also recruiting a Team Leader and two Customer Services Officers.
The Chief Executive said DHS was establishing a pool of certified interpreters in a range of Aboriginal languages spoken throughout South Australia, including: Pitjantjatjara; Yankunytjatjara; Luritja; Arrernte; and Warlpiri.
“Being a new Service that will have interpreters based broadly throughout South Australia, we are keen to attract interpreters in a diverse range of our State’s Aboriginal languages who are living and working Statewide,” Ms Boswell said.
“This is also a fantastic opportunity for some very capable multilingual people to undertake funded Nationally Accredited training, if they haven’t already, and we will be providing in depth induction and training.”
She said the Service was another step toward Closing the Gap.
“Interpreter services are critical to ensure Aboriginal people can communicate with Government and have equal access to the services and opportunities available,” she said.
“Interpreter services are particularly important where decisions or actions can have a critical impact upon a person’s life.
“Examples include decisions around a person’s health, issues of child protection, discussion of legal matters or participation in Government consultation processes,” Ms Boswell said.
Further information about the Aboriginal Language Interpreting (Pool) role is available on the I Work For SA website at this PS News link.
