Community Partnership

Transcription

1 Northern Indigenous Employment Getting on with business Employing Indigenous people Community Partnership The NIE is located on the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. The NIE pays respects to all elders past and present.

2 NIE working group Multi-award winning community partnership. Formed in 2008 to increase employment, training and participation outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, particularly youth, in Melbourne s Northern region. 25 Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal partners from employment, training, local government, education, health, sport, youth, community, media, mental health and advocacy organisations. A community initiative

3 NIE proudly recognises Some of us...

4 NIE Partnership who we represent...

5 We represent these organisations: Indigenous Education Centre (IEC), Kangan Institute WISE Employment Banyule Nillumbik Local Learning & Employment Network (BNLLEN) City of Darebin City of Hume Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc (VAEAI) 3KND Kool n Deadly Radio Moreland City Council City of Yarra Shire of Nillumbik Banyule City Council City of Whittlesea Hume Whittlesea Local Learning & Employment Network (HWLLEN) ANTaR Victoria Department of Health Essendon Football Club Department of Justice, Northern Metropolitan Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee Job Prospects Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Ltd (VACCA) Australian Red Cross Banyule Community Health Girraway Ganyi Consultancy

6 NIE Council Partners City of Hume City of Darebin City of Yarra City of Moreland City of Whittlesea Banyule City Council Nillumbik Shire Council Taking action... This type of local, cross sector, collaborative initiative that celebrates success is exactly what works to close the gap and realise reconciliation. Reconciliation Australia

7 How was NIE formed? 2008 Close the Gap objective: To halve the Employment Gap between Indigenous and Non- Indigenous Australians by This commitment prompted three community partners, with well-established trust relationships to ask: Q. What is the Indigenous employment gap in our local area? Q. How can we close a gap, if we don t know what the gap is? Asking questions

8 Setting long-term goals 1. Hold monthly NIE partnership meetings with special guest industry speakers 2. Host an annual NIE Business Recognition Awards Ceremony 3. Host a reconciliation week NIE Indigenous employment workshop 4. Produce an annual publication to promote NIE Indigenous Employer partners 5. Maintain an NIE website 6. Facilitate engagement opportunities between NIE stakeholders 7. Provide Indigenous employment strategy support 8. Promote and procure services from Indigenous suppliers, artists, students 9. Conduct employer, community and partner stakeholder research 10. Provide micro-level Indigenous employment data from Yarra, Plenty and Calder 11. To assist other local groups to adopt their own NIE partnership model Making a plan...

9 Community consultation From the outset, the NIE group has operated openly and inclusively through community engagement and consultation. Before officially setting up the working group, we saught approval to establish the working group and gain advice on our objectives from the former Darebin Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Community Council (DATSICC) - now known as the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee (DAAC). This consultation led NIE to understand our focus needed to remain on Non-Indigenous Employers, as this is where the DATSIC Council felt most of the work was needed. NIE has faithfully maintained this focus for the best part of six years. Seeking permission...

10 NIE Official Launch NIE partnership was officially launched in May 2010 as part of the first NIE Business Recognition Ceremony. We shared our long-term objectives with over 120 guests. We recognised six employers for best practice in employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from Melbourne s north. Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal community members had found a common cause to care about. The beginning...

11 NIE Business Recognition categories Moondani (Embrace) The business has employed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employee(s) Karri-nun (Increase) 1. Business has applied to VCAT for EEO exemptions (Section 83 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1995) or is recruiting under special measures to advertise and employ Indigenous specific employee(s) 2. Advertises for Indigenous staff, especially young indigenous employees 3. Employs an Indigenous Trainee(s) or Apprentice(s) 4. Is implementing Indigenous Employment Policies, Protocols and Strategies 5. Has Cultural Awareness Training available for staff Woorrto-kon ga-gat (Enlarge) 1. Business actively recruits and employees Indigenous Employees, including Trainees and Apprentices 2. Has introduced Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training to staff 3. Employs an Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) 4. Has Indigenous policies & procedures in place 5. Participates in and acknowledges Indigenous events 6. Has a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

12 Indigenous economic development The NIE Business Recognition Awards bring much deserved focus to the economic and community life of the northern region of Melbourne. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution business is making, not only to the economy of the region, but more importantly, to the people who make this place their home. For many, it is the start of a working life where they can enjoy the benefits of our prosperous nation. For others, it is the chance to re-enter the workforce and again feel the dignity of work and its rewards. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the commitment of individuals to improve life for themselves, their family and their community. For many, this involves the complex juggling of parenting, work and study, often with no or little assistance. It therefore makes their achievement all the more remarkable and should be noted as such. Mostly though, the Awards are an opportunity to appreciate the sense of obligation to ourselves and to others that is demonstrated by a great many individuals, businesses, educators and trainers, all without whom our city would be the poorer. It is this manner of contribution which forms the bedrock of a confident, fairer and better society for us and future generations. Ian Hamm Director Indigenous Economic Development Department of Business and Innovation

13 NIE Business Award recipients

14 What Employers say about the NIE Awards... The MFB was very proud to receive recognition from NIE for its aim to increase Indigenous employment. The award endorsed the MFB strategy to a long term commitment to achieving results in developing a diverse workforce. The NIE Award affirmed that by adopting a thoughtful, consultative and responsive approach to the employment of Indigenous people, non- Indigenous organisations can be employers of choice for Indigenous people.

15 And this... The NIE Award provided great recognition of NYCH s policies and organisational culture that supports Aboriginal workers. The Award was celebrated by the Board of Directors and provided the whole organisation with positive feedback on how we are doing in this regard. Our Cultural Coordinator has over many years put in a lot of work building relationships with our Indigenous community. He was very excited to receive the recognition that this award has provided.

16 NIE success and outcomes NIE has hosted five Business Recognition Ceremonies NIE has hosted three Reconciliation Week events Increased employment outcomes in NIE partner organisations and further afield Won a Northern Metropolitan Regional Koori Justice Award 2013 Finalist at the Statewide Koori Justice Awards 2013 NIE Coordinator, Nicole Findlay, received Boonde Mak Balletak, Reconciliation Award 2013 NIE has an informal partnership agreement signed by Aboriginal elders 2012 NIE has its own annual publication, Getting on with business, Employing Aboriginal People NIE has recognised 30 employers for best practice in Indigenous recruitment NIE won an inaugural Community HART Award for reconciliation outcomes 2014 Fruits of our partnership...

17 Why NIE works... NIE partners are deeply committed to reconciliation. NIE has been highly successful at engaging employers through recognition, resources and support. NIE activities attract a high number of Aboriginal community leaders and job seekers, which provides our employer partners with increased access to community in a safe and inviting space. Being a self-funded initiative means we don t face funding cut risks and this has instilled a high sense of pride, independence and ownership amongst partners and the broader Aboriginal community.

18 Why NIE works... NIE s on-going success has enabled us to see the possibilities and results of a positive partnership. NIE activities enable Non-Aboriginal partners to gain confidence in the way they work and communicate with the Aboriginal community. Aboriginal partners in turn feel more at ease with sharing knowledge and engaging more deeply with NIE Non-Aboriginal partners. Trust between NIE partners has created flowon-benefits to our own respective organisations.

19 NIE partners say this... The knowledge sharing and having a central advocacy network that can advocate for employment opportunities. It helps inform my work, in developing strategies for our local government area. Local Council representative I believe NIE has effectively provided a great sense of awareness to the community at large on the benefits of employing an Indigenous person. Employment Service Provider representative I believe that this is the only group like it and we are lucky to have such a passionate collective of members!! Education and Training organisation representative About the partnership...

20 What s most important... Aboriginal community engagement NIE works with Indigenous students and teachers. Indigenous local performers/musicians perform at NIE events. NIE works with Aboriginal Men s & Women s Health Groups. NIE procures the services of Indigenous business suppliers for all our activities. NIE books Traditional owners to do Welcome to Country ceremonies at all NIE events. NIE holds events at Aboriginal community organisations. NIE invites Aboriginal leaders and specialists from community, services and government sectors to speak at NIE events. NIE broadcasts all NIE events on 3KND (Kool n Deadly) Indigenous radio. station.

21 NIE Council partner City of Darebin says this... The partnerships and opportunities to network that have been afforded through being part of the NIE cannot be underestimated. Through these links we have been able to source information and put into place best practice on things like employment retention rates, recruitment channels, action plans and policies. In addition we have welcomed opportunities to celebrate achievements and becoming part of real initiatives that help to close the gap. Phillip O Brien, Economic Development Unit Roberta Vassallo, HR Recruitment Coordinator

22 City of Darebin NIE outcomes NIE members have assisted in providing information and helping to source specific candidates from the Aboriginal community for employment with local small business operators. Council has a policy to recruit trainees from Aboriginal heritage, links with the NIE assisted in providing access to information on things like appropriate work plans, retention rates and mentoring strategies. NIE has allowed us to tap into networks that assisted the Council to find and place 3 Indigenous Trainees in Business Administration within the last 12 months. On completion, the trainees were employed into the Council s casual admin pool making their employment sustainable. We are currently in the process of sourcing two more Indigenous candidates to commence a Business Administration traineeship in early August.

23 Where to from here? Keep in touch via the NIE website Nominate a business for an NIE Award Become an NIE working group member

24 Northern Indigenous Employment (NIE) Business Recognition Awards Ceremony Friday 24 Oct 2014 Do you know a business providing employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people in Melbourne s North? Nominate them today!

25 Join us!

26 Thanks for listening Keep in touch!

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