Making a positive difference Fairbridge Bindjareb Training Program Larry Smith Manager Prisoner Employment Programs Western Australia

Retention of Aboriginal workers is currently the single biggest challenge faced by the mining industry in Western Australia.

Fairbridge Bindjareb Project Multi-faceted program addressing known risk factors Collaboration between Industry, Community and the Government Provides Indigenous people with real jobs and real careers in the mining industry, Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations over six month and Guaranteed employment upon release

Focus To address barriers through: Life skills training Literacy and Numeracy Case Management and Appropriately skilled and qualified mentors.

The Partners The project is an initiative that involves a partnership between Industry (BIS Industries),Industry (BIS Industries), Community (Fairbridge) andCommunity (Fairbridge) and Government (WA DCS)Government (WA DCS)

Training Training is conducted over a 20 week periodTraining is conducted over a 20 week period Participants are given time on two simulators to gain experience prior to the “real deal”Participants are given time on two simulators to gain experience prior to the “real deal”

Training Room There is some classroom based learningThere is some classroom based learning To replicate real employment each day commences with a “Tool Box” meetingTo replicate real employment each day commences with a “Tool Box” meeting At the end of the week it concludes with a DebriefAt the end of the week it concludes with a Debrief

How is this training different Can you spot the officer?

How is this training different? A simulated mine site forms the base for a large part of the training. a unique experiential learning environment and an introduction to mine site operations, heavy equipment (provided by WesTrac) and industry culture.

How is this training different? Holistic training package that encompasses an intensive lifestyle development program literacy & numeracyliteracy & numeracy effective relationships with otherseffective relationships with others driver trainingdriver training cultural awareness & industry culture trainingcultural awareness & industry culture training understand the discipline required to be fit for work andunderstand the discipline required to be fit for work and how to balance work and family responsibilitieshow to balance work and family responsibilities

Lifestyle Development Program learn how to manage their physical, nutritional and financial wellbeinglearn how to manage their physical, nutritional and financial wellbeing team buildingteam building

Mentors Aboriginal Mentors provide support by: Mentoring the trainees throughout the term of their training at Fairbridge and their transition into employment. One full time male aboriginal mentor One part time female aboriginal mentor to work with families – family days, newsletters

Ongoing Training The Front End Loader is being directed by a trainee who has returned to the training to undertake Cert IV Workplace Trainer & Assessor.The Front End Loader is being directed by a trainee who has returned to the training to undertake Cert IV Workplace Trainer & Assessor.

Family Days Two family days during the training.Two family days during the training. One at the commencement of the trainingOne at the commencement of the training Families come into FairbridgeFamilies come into Fairbridge to see what training the men in their lives are doing. Presentation from BIS outlining employment opportunitiesPresentation from BIS outlining employment opportunities

Family Days Second Family Day is in the last two weeks of training.Second Family Day is in the last two weeks of training. Support and newsletters are given to Families by the MentorsSupport and newsletters are given to Families by the Mentors

Ongoing Development Completion of program is only the first step in the journey Participants will continue their training and development with BIS Future training will include: –Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations

Making a difference in WA Breaking the cycle of intergenerational involvement in the justice system Supplying skilled workforce for mining industry Community safety enhanced by increasing offender chances of successful reintegration Economic benefits in decreasing recidivism and increasing Aboriginal workplace participation Relationship between unemployment and crime

Gary’s Story Koodah Cornwall, Bindjareb elder and Gary, current training participant

20

Evaluation Pre-course expectations survey Weekly case management meetings Weekly team de-briefs Course completion surveys Post-course evaluation workshops Developing in-depth longitudinal evaluation with UWA to measure outcomes

Achievements External recognition Funding secured for next seven intakes – 84 prisoners guaranteed jobs Solid graduate outcomes –of the 30 participants to date (March 2013) only one has re-offended

Side Tipper Grader

Graduation

Band of Bindjareb Cooda’s A band of Cooda’s, grown from a moment of strife, now with a new direction in life Our unity is strong, our sense of belonging is to our ancestral songs A new learning of respect, through a shared knowledge, is now, our togetherness in strength Our commitment is to the core of our souls, our pride has come from our forefathers of old. Through honesty and support comes a great abundance of self worth Through each new day, have trust and understanding for all those people that come our way Proud Aboriginal we are, have faith and trust in this trodden path, this is the greatest opportunity by far A conglomerate of one, this Bindjareb project will definitely succeed, culminating in us all, in the BIS family