Indigenous Learning – Enterprise, employment and training
The rate of full time employment in 2001 for Indigenous people was much lower than for non-Indigenous people in all age groups and geographic regions. Nationally full time employment as a proportion of the labour force was 41.5 per cent for Indigenous people, compared to 60.2 per cent for non-Indigenous people. (reported in Overcoming Indigenous advantage – Key Indicators, Productivity Commission 2003)
Training is one of the major forms of assistance provided through labour market programs. The NSW Review of Aboriginal Education identified a need for Aboriginal apprentices and trainees. Aboriginal people are under represented in NSW in Apprenticeships and Traineeships and just over 39 percent of the Aboriginal population are employed compared with 55 per cent of the total population. Nevertheless, employment outcomes from VET activities remain lower for Indigenous Australians compared with non- Indigenous Australians
The Commonwealth Indigenous Employment Policy introduced in 1999 has three elements; Job Network, the Indigenous Employment Program (which supersedes the Training for Aboriginals Program), and the Indigenous Small Business Fund.
Sub components of the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) include:
- Community Development Employment Projects Placement Incentive (which accounts for a very significant proportion of Indigenous people in employment)
- Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Project
- Wage Assistance
- Structured Training and employment projects
- Indigenous Small Business Fund
- Indigenous Employment Centres; and
- Indigenous Community Volunteers.
Websites
Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA)
Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) has developed standards for training Indigenous people to be small business entrepreneurs or operators. These standards constitute Certificate I, II and III level in small business management to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners.
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA)
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) plays a role in creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities to build assets and wealth. It is a partner within the Australian Governments Indigenous Economic Development Strategy.
IBA offers a range of programs designed to develop initiatives for long term asset accumulation that include IBA Enterprises and IBA Investments. IBA Enterprises aims to provide Indigenous people with skill development services and alternate funding products to achieve greater independence from Government and improve business management capabilities. IBA Investments provides the means for IBA and prospective Indigenous organisations to enter into commercially viable joint ventures with the private sector.
Indigenous Community Volunteers
Indigenous Community Volunteers are an independent not for profit company that offers support to Aboriginal Communities to pursue their community development goals in their own way It provides volunteers with the opportunity to transfer their skills to Aboriginal communities and community organisations by matching volunteers with short to medium term projects.
Publications
HENRY J ARNOTT A BRABHAM W CLARK T ELLIS B and TORRES P 1999 Developing best practice with Indigenous New Apprenticeships Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra
This collection of case studies and a summary report, explore the implementation of innovative approaches to developing and delivering apprenticeships and traineeships for Indigenous Australians with case studies from around Australia including one from Sydney.
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Office of Vocational Education and Training Tasmania, Small Business Professional Development Best Practice Programme for Indigenous Economic Council NSW, Our business, our way: Indigenous perspectives on small business learning – an evaluation of Indigenous Projects in the Small Business Professional Development Best Practice Programme Office of Vocational Education and Training Hobart,
Indigenous Projects in the Small Business Professional Development Best Practice Programme in 1999 were evaluated, including projects in Sydney and Foster. The focus of the project was how Indigenous businesses identified and implemented training for their staff.
SPICER I 1997 Independent review of the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Canberra.
This review of the CDEP scheme, explores the prospects for improved employment, social and cultural outcomes, including the role accredited training could play. The study suggests ways training could be incorporated into CDEP activities.
FLAMSTEED Kate, GOLDING Barry, 2005 Learning through Indigenous Business. The role of vocational education and training in Indigenous enterprise and community development. NCVER Adelaide
This report shows how support for learning in Indigenous businesses must be sensitive to context. Remote areas offer a significant challenge including the inaccessibility of services Business operated primarily for social and community benefits are not ideal training grounds for Indigenous people who wish to learn how to run a commercial business.
Learning through Indigenous business is most effective when learning is tied to earning; the content is customised; it is parallel to real work; and it is applied through employment and commercial business
DOCKERY A Michael, MILSOM Nicola 2007 A Review of Indigenous employment programs NCVER Adelaide
The primary objectives of the main labour market programs are the achievement of mainstream employment outcomes and for many indigenous Australians; this is consistent with their own aspirations. This is more likely to lead to a more rapid pace of social and cultural assimilation. A mix of on the job work experience achieved through wages subsidies or brokered placements combined with other appropriate support, such as mentoring, offers a successful approach. Involvement of Indigenous people in the provision of assistance can also improve program effectiveness.
See also
Aboriginal Elders form partnership with TAFE | INDIGENOUS LEARNING CASE STUDY