Cowboys Learn Earn Legend! finalists for Reconciliation Awards

by NRL

The North Queensland Cowboys innovative Learn Earn Legend! Program is among the finalists for the 2012 Queensland Reconciliation Awards to be announced during National Reconciliation Week.

The program, which provides Indigenous students enrolled in years 11 and 12 at participating North Queensland schools with the support they need to complete their secondary education and move into further study, training or employment, has been shortlisted for the Community Organisation award.

There are 35 schools and almost 500 students currently signed up to the Cowboys' Learn Earn Legend! program which has its own unit at the club's headquarters in Townsville.

The Queensland Reconciliation Awards recognise businesses, community organisations, educational institutions, partnerships and projects that are taking positive steps in advancing reconciliation in Queensland.

The awards offer a total of $25,000 in prizemoney and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in Brisbane next week.

The Cowboys' Learn Earn Legend! program, which began last year, is in the category for community organisations or groups that operate on a not-for profit basis and have programs and/or initiatives in place that actively promote reconciliation.

The program is also in contention for the Premier's Reconciliation Award will be presented to a nominated project that has shown great potential, initiative and significant achievements toward advancing reconciliation in Queensland.

That winner will be selected from all award nominations.

The Cowboys Learn Earn Legend! program is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and supported by the National Rugby League.

The Cowboys use their expansive corporate network and education partners to assist students to establish their career pathways, become work ready and improve the school-to-work transition.

The program works to increase employment rates and prospects of Indigenous Australians involved in the program, as well as contribute to the commitment of the Australian Government to halve the gap between the employment of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within the decade.

Your thoughts?