Strategy to boost Aboriginal workforce participation
Jun 8, 2010
Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier today released a strategy that will open the door to new opportunities for Aboriginal jobseekers.
Addressing the ‘Training together-working together’ summit, Mr Collier said the Aboriginal Workforce Development Strategy outlined a series of findings and recommendations that aimed to establish a stronger connection between employers and jobseekers.
“Aboriginal people remain among the most severely disadvantaged groups in the labour market, so there was a clear need to improve this situation,” he said.
The strategy was developed by the ‘Training together-working together’ committee, and followed a series of metropolitan and regional workshops involving business, industry and community members.
“One of the main findings of the committee was a lack of connection and co-ordination between employers, jobseekers and service providers,” the Minister said.
“Western Australia is on the cusp of the next wave of prosperity, with a host of new opportunities starting to emerge.
“While a large number of Aboriginal people are already in training, we need to ensure they transition smoothly into ongoing employment.
“To do this, it’s important that employers know how to engage successfully with these jobseekers.”
Key recommendations of the strategy include:
- connecting employers and Aboriginal jobseekers to meet WA’s growing work opportunities
- engaging local knowledge and capacity - recognising a one size fits all approach does not work
- improving the transition of Aboriginal people through quality mentoring and other support
- developing a strategic response to individual and institutional barriers to Aboriginal participation in the workforce
- raising awareness of Aboriginal employment opportunities and promoting Aboriginal role models.
As an initial response to the strategy’s recommendations, an Aboriginal Workforce Development Centre - the first of its kind in WA - has been established, and will be complemented by a series of regional centres to be created.
“Staff at the centre, located in the Perth CBD, will work with employers, government agencies and the Aboriginal community to remove barriers to Aboriginal participation in the workforce,” Mr Collier said.
“Some of the first regional centres will be located in Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Bunbury, providing a direct link between Aboriginal people and local employers.”
The Minister said through the strategy’s recommendations and partnerships with other organisations, connections would be created that would have a positive impact on closing the gap in Aboriginal employment.
“A recommendation endorsed by the State Government is the introduction of a mentoring strategy and a more co-ordinated inter-government approach towards training opportunities for Aboriginal people,” he said.
“The strategy will also increase the profile of Aboriginal role models, including former West Coast Eagles footballer David Wirrpanda, who will be one of the prominent public faces of ‘Training together-working together’.
“I am appreciative of the work carried out by the ‘Training together-working together’ committee, co-chaired by Dr Sue Gordon and Keith Spence, in developing the strategy.
“The committee met regularly and travelled throughout WA to hear from at least 500 people, including representatives from Aboriginal communities, industry and other key groups.”
The Aboriginal Workforce Development Strategy is available at http://www.stb.wa.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx or phone 9229 5206.
Minister's office - 9213 7150
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