Present and former Rugby League Origin greats gathered to support future pathways for indigenous students.

They joined more than 3,000 teenagers crowding the halls of Suncorp Stadium, where their education and employment options were on show.

Melissa Yeo reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Organised by the Former Origin Greats, this was the fifth year of the Indigenous Employment and Careers Expo with tangible results already being seen.

Steve Price, former maroons star, now works with indigenous youth and said events like these are a key to breaking the cycle and making students aware of their options.

Steve Price, FOGS Mentor: “5 years ago we have kids that were here and now have real jobs in those companies. So we’ve got heroes of kids that were where these kids are now.”

For many, this is an opportunity to talk to their role models first hand and take positive steps towards their future goals.

VOX POP 1: “It has inspired me, it’s given me heaps of information.”

VOX POP 2: “It’s really good for them to talk to other indigenous people to see how they have progressed in their careers.”

VOX POP 3: “It helps you talk to the people more and see what is expected.”

FOGS work in conjunction with the Australian Government’s Learn, Earn, Legend initiative to close the gap between indigenous education, employment and health.

With seven locations across Queensland, this program hopes to involve indigenous youth from all regions.

Steve Renouf, Former Origin Great: “The more kids get jobs out of this, the closer we get to closing the gap.”

With more than 85 exhibitors on show today students are offered a wealth of opportunities, from farming to natural medicine and everything in between.

Who knows, we may even have the next indigenous all star in our midst.

Melissa Yeo, QUT News.