A new partnership will unlock a range of exciting career opportunities for NRL Cowboys House students with air conditioning, refrigeration and electrical specialists Peak ARE joining as Friends of the House.
Homegrown experts in commercial, industrial and domestic solutions, locally-owned Peak ARE will provide students with on-site work experience, and learning and career opportunities in a variety of areas including refrigeration, electrical, construction, fabrication, warehousing, administration, sales and business management.
The new alliance is part of Peak ARE’s broader commitment to building strong, respectful and mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and organisations.
Peak Sales Manager Allan Petersen said while the organisation prides itself on having a diverse workforce, it has identified a desire to put opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the forefront of its business strategy, in line with its Reconciliation Action Plan.
“We established our inaugural RAP in 2022 as the first part in our company's journey to lift Indigenous participation within our business and cement our commitment to contribute to the wellbeing and long-term prosperity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Allan said.
“Becoming a friend of NRL Cowboys House is an important step in establishing and building a meaningful relationship, allowing us to work together to deliver education and employment opportunities to students.
“The partnership is also a valuable opportunity for our team, individually and collectively, to connect, learn and grow in a way that we wouldn't be able to without this relationship.”
Eager to get underway, Peak ARE invited House students to tour their brand-new Townsville facility as part of the announcement.
The tour gave students a first-hand look at what they could expect from an internship or work experience opportunity with the business, broadening their horizons for their future vocational interests.
The students also connected with Peak employees, speaking about the range of roles and career opportunities on offer, with the Peak ARE team going the extra mile to cook a sausage sizzle and have a yarn with students.
Cowboys Community Foundation Director Fiona Pelling said Peak ARE’s genuine commitment to Indigenous youth and employment pathways was the perfect match for NRL Cowboys House.
“We’re delighted to welcome Peak ARE as a Friend of the House, helping us create even more career opportunities for the students who board there,” she said.
“Many of our students are hands-on learners and love taking on an apprenticeship or trade, with this partnership opening career pathways they previously may not have thought of.
“Peak ARE’s diverse range of career outcomes will give NRL Cowboys House students great insight into careers and further training to help them find the perfect fit for them individually.”
The Friend of the House program enables organisations and individuals to make a meaningful contributions with a product, service or investment that creates a lasting impact on the education and employment outcomes for Indigenous secondary students from remote communities.
For more information, visit cowboysfoundation.org.au/partner.
