Indigenous Employment Program DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Objective Assist Agencies to achieve the NTG Indigenous Employment targets: – 10% by 2012 – 20% by 2017 Cabinet has approved the program and anticipates: 2010/2011/2012/2013/2014 60 Darwin & Regions 80 Darwin & Regions DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Overview and features • • • Targets unemployed Indigenous job seekers 20 week pre-employment training at Certificate II Structured on-the-job work experience during training Training for workplace supervisors and buddies Guaranteed employment on successful completion of training Normal probationary arrangements on commencement Designed to provide job-ready, base-grade employees $5 000 / candidate agency contribution Augment and complement current Indigenous employment strategies DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Pre-employment Training • 1 week pre-entry program focussed on workplace expectations and orientation • 20 weeks Certificate II level training • Significant work placement experience • Current focus on Administrative stream employment • Core skills of generic AO 2 • Probation period allows for the employee to consolidate these skills DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Work Placements • Develop skills learned in off-the-job training by applying them in a real work context • Develop core skills, gain an understanding of employer expectations and workplace culture • Build workplace relationships and make the link between the training program and a real, permanent job • 8: 00 to 4: 21 unless otherwise advised by the agency • Up to 30 days of work placement within the program DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Program Supports For participants: • A comprehensive pre-entry 4 day induction – “Strengthening Strengths”, working in the NTG – work place visits, meet supervisors and employees • Facilitated workshops with supervisors and participants exploring workplace expectations • Meaningful and relevant work placements which provide the opportunity to gain work skills and connect the training to work • A workplace buddy identified for each participant • Scheduled peer networking opportunities to share experiences and access a “study buddy” • Regular contact with an IEP mentor • Access to an established contact network for support and guidance DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Program Supports For Supervisors and Buddies: • Supervisor workshop • Networking forums • Structured workplace visits from the IEP team • ‘Buddy’ training session delivered by the Australian Employment Covenant (AEC) • Ongoing Buddy support provided by the AEC • HR assistance – development planning DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Challenges / opportunities • • Creating opportunities for base-grade employment Permanent versus temporary Numbers cap Planning for a positive experience – employer and employee • Up front investment in candidates • Competition with apprenticeship program / ELR • Employment guarantees in Territory Growth Towns DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Where to from here? • Current program 15 candidates start 4 May; commence employment September • Planning for minimum 4 intakes 2010 -11 • Urban and regional programs • Tailoring training / qualification to suit demand • Reporting back to Cabinet on success DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Contacts Key contacts for IEP: Wendy Moulds Manager – Indigenous Employment Program 8999 3762 Peter Mayo Indigenous Employment Officer 8999 3749 DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT

Equity vs equality IEP - An Equity Based Program • Equity refers to fairness, or principles of justice, aimed to redress inequalities in opportunity experienced by some individuals or groups. • Equality refers to all people being treated equally. How does this program address Equity? • Equity is aimed at redressing the inequalities*. Through the program structure we offer participants the opportunities and support mechanisms to develop their skills and experience to bring them towards the entry level recruitment point of an A 02. ** Examples of inequalities include: – – – Greatly reduced life expectancy Generational unemployment Long term unemployment Substantially lower levels of education Lower income, and Demanding social issues DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND EMPLOYMENT