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We are proud to announce the launch of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Internship Program, an initiative to support and encourage Indigenous youth with the transition from tertiary education to full-time employment. The program will commence in the first half of 2024 as we welcome our first cohort of Indigenous students.
According to the Law Society of NSW, less than 1 per cent of Australian lawyers are Indigenous, despite comprising almost 3 per cent of the population. Universities Australia’s 2023 Indigenous Strategy Annual Report announced the significant disparity in graduation rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Bachelor degree students, with the completion rate of Indigenous students at 50% and non-Indigenous students at 71.1%.
By establishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Internship Program, we hope to inspire interns with mentorship and real-world experience that helps them to complete their studies, while also building and nurturing their careers.
During the program, students will benefit from ongoing mentoring from an experienced legal practitioner, along with paid work experience two days a week throughout their university education. Throughout the internship, they will develop skillsets and gain access to referees to assist their education and bolster their employability.
Managing Principal Andrew Lacey said that the internship program is a “step in the right direction”.
“Being a part of an internship program as a student is something that can provide clarity in your career inspirations, and this program is designed to provide real-world experience and exposure across a number of different areas of the law,” Lacey said.
“Our goal is to provide a supportive environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can experience first-hand what a career in the legal industry entails, and become acquainted with the almost limitless opportunities that become available upon graduating with a law degree.
“We are proud and excited to see the commencement of this program as a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities at McCabes.”
Author: McCabes Lawyers