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8/3/2019 Foundation Strategy ~ Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/foundation-strategy-keepit-aboriginal-community-employment-strategy 1/20
Foundation Strategy Keepit Region ACES: Aboriginal
Community Employment Strategy
8/3/2019 Foundation Strategy ~ Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Table of Contents
Preamble......................................................................................................................................................................3Purpose........................................................................................................................................................................4Principles.....................................................................................................................................................................4Position and Programs..............................................................................................................................................5
NIRDB Auspice......................................................................................................................................... ..........5 Whole of Region Approach.......................................................................................................................... .....6 Aboriginal Employment......................................................................................................................................7 ACES Consortium...................................................................................................................................... .........7
Emerging Strategies...................................................................................................................................................9Participation..............................................................................................................................................................13Precautions................................................................................................................................................................14Next Steps.................................................................................................................................................................15
Reporting to DEEWR.......................................................................................................................................15Distribution and Promotion of Foundation Strategy..................................................................................15Gunnedah Shire Council STEP Initiative......................................................................................................15
ACES Consortium and the Indigenous Employment Program............................................................ ....17Maintaining the Momentum.............................................................................................................................17Business & Employer Forums.........................................................................................................................17Completing the Strategy....................................................................................................................................17
Appendices.................................................................................................................................................... ...........19
R i l F Li t f Att d 19
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Preamble
The Keepit Aboriginal1 Community Employment Strategy (ACES) 'Foundation Strategy' summarises the
outcomes and developments from six months of work by the Northern Inland Regional Development Board
(NIRDB) on the Gunnedah Indigenous Skills Development Project. This work has been funded by the
Australian Government Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
The 'Foundation Strategy' is simply that – the 'foundations' for the strategy. While further work is required to
complete the strategic planning, especially to ensure involvement of the wider region and different key
stakeholder groups, the Foundation Strategy still provides a clear basis for initiatives and actions to take place
across the regional addressing the clear priorities identified already.
The regional strategic planning done to date culminated with the Regional Aboriginal Community Employment
Strategy (ACES) Forum held in Gunnedah on 19 May 2009. It was attended by more than 50 representatives
from key stakeholders in Aboriginal employment from Gunnedah, Quirindi, Walhallow, Narrabri and Wee Waa,
plus representatives from stakeholders in the greater region including Tamworth, Sydney and Armidale. These
participants also reflected a wide cross section of stakeholders including employers and employment service
providers; training organisations and schools; Aboriginal and other community organisations; media; and local,
state and federal government bodies and agencies.
8/3/2019 Foundation Strategy ~ Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Purpose
The purpose of the Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) is to improve the economic
participation and wellbeing of Aboriginal people by increasing number and quality of Aboriginal jobs in the
Keepit Region5 and help “close the gap” on Aboriginal economic participation and wellbeing.
“We can develop a pathway that we can both understand and walk on together... we want action as well as a
strategic plan.”
– Janelle Speed, Facilitator
This vision is to be achieved through collaborative initiatives by key stakeholders which address regional priority
issues and opportunities. The key stakeholders reflect the wide range of interests in Aboriginal employment
including employers and employment service providers; training organisations and schools; Aboriginal and othercommunity organisations; media; and local, state and federal government bodies and agencies.
Principles
While it is relatively early in the
development of the Strategy there are
l i i l i h
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
• Identifying strategies and priorities for action through processes that involve the many key stakeholders
relevant to Aboriginal employment and economic wellbeing – local, regional and national;
• Strong communication, providing mechanisms and forums for the views of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
stakeholders to be heard and better understood by each other and the many key stakeholders involved.
Position and Programs
Detailed below are the key qualities of the Keepit ACES that define its unique and compimentary position and
role in the Keepit Region. The specific programs and mechanisms utilised to complete and implement the
Keepit ACES will need to be further defined, including an appropriate governance structure.
NIRDB Auspice Keepit ACES is currently auspiced by the Northern Inland Regional Development Board (NIRDB). This fits
well with the NIRDB's role which includes promoting regional development, developing local leadership,
involving all levels of government and championing key initiatives.
In this way the NIRDB is a facilitator more than a service-delivery agency which reinforces the principle of
i l ti th t t d i it i iti ti i ll b ti ith th k t k h ld
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Whole of Region Approach
If we can all get together and really get a good action plan going together, then we can actually get some jobs.
– Jane Bender, Chief Executive Officer, Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation
The Keepit ACES is a 'whole of region' approach to Aboriginal employment, recognising that government
cannot sufficiently solve this problem by acting alone and strategies are required to better coordinate the efforts
and strengths of all stakeholders.
The defining qualities of this approach are:
1. A focus on strategies and initiatives that are either undertaken region-wide or are of region-wide
significance. The Keepit Region includes the Shires of Gunnedah, Narrabri and Liverpool Plains and
population centres including Quirindi, Walhallow, Gunnedah, Wee Waa and Narrabri;
2. Identifying strategies and priorities for action through processes that involve the many key stakeholders
relevant to Aboriginal employment and economic wellbeing – local, regional and national; and,
It's been needed for well over 20 years. We need to bring black and white cultures together.
– M il Bi C it C ll N b i
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Aboriginal Employment
Having adequate employment opportunities for Aboriginal people is absolutely essential.
– Mayor Adam Marshall, Gunnedah Shire Council
The Keepit ACES will solely undertake programs and strategies that clearly contribute to “closing the gap” on
Aboriginal employment and economic participation – which means increasing both the number and the quality
of jobs.
At the same time the strategy is holistic, informed by all relevant key stakeholders to ensure that strategies
address all priority issues and opportunties that affect job outcomes.
ACES Consortium The Keepit ACES Consortium is a formal grouping of key organisations from the Region that was formed and
successfully tendered for the Australian Government Indigenous Employment Program.
The Northern Inland Regional Development
Board (NIRDB) is the designated lead agency
for the Consortium and the other members are:
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Emerging Strategies
Six strategies have been identified from the work undertaken to date as the most pressing regional priorities and
opportunities for Aboriginal employment, namely:
1. Motivation and Mentoring;
2. Working together building understanding and
trust (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
organisations);
3. Cultural Awareness Programs;
4. Training, Education and Support;
5. Direct opportunities for Employment; and,
6. Business Development.
Priority Actions have also been identified for each of these six strategies (detailed on the following page) and
present a clear basis for initiatives to begin that address regional priorities identified to date. Significantly more
priorities have been identified which are documented for consideration in the next stages of strategic planning.
Working Group, Aboriginal Employment Forum
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The setting of goals and budgets is an important step for the success of the strategies, even though it is
recognised that securing the full budget for total implementation is unlikely.
What is more likely is that that priority initiatives will be implemented as the necessary partnerships, agreements
and resources are confirmed.
Each working group also identified the reasons for why and how each strategy was important to improving the
number and quality of jobs for Aboriginal people. These were:
1. Motivation and Mentoring – to build confidence and self esteem, improve the quality of life and
lifestyles. The setting of goals is especially key to creating employment opportunties and giving
direction.
2. Working together building
understanding and trust
(Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
organisations) – to build trust,
know the expectations of
different parties involved, better
l d d b bl
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
4. Training, Education and Support – to get into mainstream employment, build self esteem and
confidence, gain knowledge and experience, further careers while in employment, open up opportunities
and be better able to cope with change.
I believe education is the way of the future for all us people. Learning is a two way street.
– Mark Morgan, Coordinator, Aboriginal Rural Training Program, Murrumbidgee
Rural Studies Centre
5. Direct opportunities for Employment – the working group focussed on the importance of employment
itself for Aboriginal people and identified the following values:
• Self sustainability, to survive and feed ourselves!
• Self esteem, pride, equity, self worth and recognition
• Wellbeing and empowerment
6. Business Development – to better recognise and promote succesful Aboriginal enterprises, enhance
their success and create pathways for others to follow.
I d f i h b k i f h i h h d f h l 150 l '
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Participation
There has been significant participation in the
development of the Keepit ACES to date and further
involvement will be key to its completion and
successful implementation.
The next stage of participation though will need to
take a more formal focus on identifying key
participants for the purpose of undertaking initiatives
and implementation.
In addition to the direct participants in this work todate, the ACES Consortium brings an extensive network of partnerships and other organisations to this need
including:
• Training Organisations: TAFE New England Institute, Australian Defence, NewTrain, Northern Inland
Community Colleges, UNE Partnerships
•E l d I d G P i S BHP Whi h C l Mi R i l T i
CDEP Transition Workshop
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Precautions
As with any significant new endeavour there are challenges to maintain interest, involvement and support,
generating sufficient funding and resources as well as moving into to the critical pursuit of meaningful action
and outcomes.
We've had all this stuff before and it hasn't gone anywhere.
– Aunty Gwen Griffen, Chair Min Min Aboriginal Corporation &
Councillor, Gunnedah Shire Council
Many of the key stakeholders involved through this work remarked that they had 'seen and heard this all before'.
This reflects the experience of Aboriginal people nationally, not just the Keepit Region, and so there is an
especially significant challenge for the Keepit ACES to demonstrate meaningful action and outcomes. Over time
these efforts would ideally start to affect the prevailing cynicism and despair which in turn will improve the
quality of stakeholder engagement and efforts.
Reinforcing this, there is also a need to demonstrate – through meaningful action, visible progress and valuable
change – that this Foundation Strategy can, is and will make a difference to the quality and quantity of
Ab A b d d b
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Next Steps
The mapping on the following page details the complete details of next steps and actions that were identified at
the Region Forum, though more details are provided below of the most pressing priorities to be undertaken.
With motivation and mentoring they have the goals, will take the opportunies and will head in the right
direction.
– Jack McCaw, Defence Force Recruitment
Reporting to DEEWR
This Foundation Strategy, together with a Final Report and recommendations, will be prepared for the Australian
Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. A short video documentary will
also be presented including footage and interviews from the Regional Forum and a complete package of
photographs and written documentation.
Distribution and Promotion of Foundation Strategy
Following the presentation to DEEWR (above) the Foundation Strategy will be circulated to key stakeholders
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
ACES Consortium and the Indigenous Employment Program
The succesful tender by the ACES Consortium for the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) provides a key
opportunity to seek financial and other support where implementation of priority initiatives and completion of
this strategy is aligned with Australian Government objectives under the IEP.
Discussions are underway to arrange meetings with relevant representatives from the IEP in this regard.
Maintaining the Momentum
There is an immediate need to provide meaningful support to maintain the momentum, communication and
networks achieved in the work undertaken to date. While the NIRDB has agreed to host the regional email
network this is not sufficient alone.
It is believed that this support would maintain a clear focus on progressing, and potentially implementing, the
priority initiatives identified. In this way the support would take an active and proactive stance.
Business & Employer Forums
The NIRDB is concurrently working on a Northern Inland Aboriginal Jobs Roadshow in partnership with
h i
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
that need to be identified and invited to become involved;
• Commence formal negotiations with key stakeholders to build agreements for participation,
partnerships, support, funding and resources;
• While these steps are being undertaken the Strategy itself need to be refined and completed, particularly
in regards to creating an appropriate governance structure and expanding on the priority initiatives into
an action plan with S.M.A.R.T. targets and goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and
timebound) supported by a budget.
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Appendices
Regional Forum: List of Attendees
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Foundation StrategyKeepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Briefing for Regional Forum – Emerging Priorities
The below map summarises the priorities for Aboriginal employment that were identified during stakeholder meetings and discussions over six months prior to the
Regional Forum. This mapping was provided as a background briefing to inform stakeholder discussions at the Regional Forum.
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