Qantas today announced a new partnership with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF).

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce and Australian Indigenous Education Foundation CEO Andrew Penfold announced the partnership at the launch of Qantas' third Reconciliation Action Plan.

Mr Joyce said Qantas was extremely proud to be associated with AIEF.

"Qantas is honoured to be the airline partner for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation," said Mr Joyce.

"Our five year agreement will provide even greater opportunities for Indigenous students to travel across Australia to participate in a number of important AIEF programs.

"Our Reconciliation Action Plan is particularly focused on education as a pathway to employment and we will work closely with AIEF to provide employment opportunities for the well-educated Indigenous students that graduate from AIEF schools across New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

"Qantas employees will be offered the opportunity to join the AIEF Mentor Program and we will also host AIEF students on 'experience visits' to learn more about the wide-range of career opportunities within the aviation industry."

"AIEF is proud to be partnering with Australia's leading airline as it not only enables us to expand and improve the delivery of both our scholarship and post-school pathways programs but brings together two organisations whose values are aligned," said AIEF CEO Andrew Penfold.

"AIEF's goal is to support the education of over 2,000 Indigenous children to empower them to realise their potential, break the cycle of poverty, take responsibility for their own future, and become leaders and role models to serve their communities and the common good."

"Delivering a national program in a cost-efficient way is vital to the continued growth and success of AIEF. Qantas' support underpins the delivery of our programs as it allows travel for both AIEF staff and students to meet with each other, visit schools and universities and partake in job-readiness workshops and career-related activities. AIEF will also collaborate with Qantas and use their skills and expertise in the delivery of programs, workshops, experience visits, volunteering and mentoring.

"This commitment by Qantas gives wings to our ability to offer an increasing number of opportunities to our students and enable them to pursue their dreams and fulfil their potential."

Contributed by Qantas Airways Limited