IMPLEMENTING CHANGE: A NEW LOCAL AGENDA FOR JOBS AND GROWTH In co-operation with the EU Presidency, Irish Government and Pobal March 2013, Dublin-Kilkenny, Ireland 9 th Annual Meeting PLENARY SESSION II: LOCAL EMPLOYMENT STRATEGIES IN RURAL AREAS Sally Sinclair CEO, National Employment Services Association, Australia

Regional, Rural and Remote Employment Strategies – the Australian Experience Presented by: Sally Sinclair, CEO National Employment Services Association 27 March 2013 OECD LEED 9th Annual Meeting - Dublin

 NESA is an industry association and the peak body for the Australian employment and related services industry  Australia has a fully outsourced employment services delivery model  NESA represents and advocates on behalf of contracted providers to ensure that we achieve:  Continuous improvement to design, delivery and performance of employment services for stakeholders, and  A sustainable and vibrant industry. NESA is the voice of the Australian employment services industry

  Personalised, individualised services   Targeted resources – geographical areas, target groups, specific eligibility, demand-led initiatives   Partnerships & collaboration – wrap around servicing, co-location, case co-ordination   Outcomes focus   Social inclusion   Matching skills and labour demand and supply   Communication – government websites, use of intermediaries and employment services provider networks Key Elements of Policies & Programs

The contracting arrangements of Australian employment services support a dynamic and responsive policy environment. The purchaser maintains the right to vary DEEDs and supporting guidelines to include new initiatives and respond to changing circumstance and priorities throughout the contract period. Complementary Programmes: Targeted Industry Support   Structural Adjustment Packages Cohort Focused Initiatives   Mature Age Workers   Early school leavers   Long term unemployed – Wage Connect Subsidy Program   Indigenous Employment Program Responsive Policy & Service Framework

Geographically Targeted Initiatives   Local Connections to Work   Priority Employment Areas o o Local Employment Coordinators o o Jobs and Skills Expos   Disaster Response Packages   Connecting People with Jobs   Regional Development Authorities o o Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Coordinators Skills Focused Initiatives   Apprenticeship Kick Start Initiative Responsive Policy & Service Framework

Geographic Remoteness at a Glance

Activation Access to employment assistance   All unemployed and significantly underemployed people of working age are eligible to receive assistance through Australian Employment Services. Early engagement   All new income support claimants are connected to employment services on first contact with Centrelink   Appointment with employment services providers scheduled for a time within 2 working days through an electronic diary   Granting of income support subject to commencement with employment services provider   Additional direct registration pathways for voluntary (non activity tested) job seekers

Activation – Mutual Obligation Australia has strong mutual obligation policies that promote the responsibilities of job seekers in return for unemployment benefits Foundation Activity and participation requirements:   Be actively looking for paid work and/or be participating in another approved activity, and   Be willing to take any suitable job that you are capable of doing, including full-time, part-time and casual jobs. Requirements are recorded in an Employment Pathway Plan   Job search requirements   Referrals to employment services providers   Paid work   Referrals to specialist assistance, and   Other approved activities that job seekers will undertake to improve their chances of finding work.

Australian Employment Services Framework Centrelink Social Security Employment Services Gateway Job Seeker Compliance Framework Complementary Programs National Employment Services Data Base National Performance Assessment Framework Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations Policy & Program Administration, Development & Implementation Purchasing & Contract Management New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, Harvest Labour Services, Experience + Youth Connections, Language, Literacy & Numeracy, Indigenous Employment Programs

Long Term Unemployment Risk Assessment Job Seeker Classification Index Factors

Tailored Service Provision More intensive assistance for those at relatively more risk

Tailored Service Provision Job Placement Services Job Search Support Employer Services Job Search Facilities Skills Assessment Individual Case Management Employment Pathway Plan Community Linkages Access to resources to support interventions Post Placement Support Work Experience Range of Activities Work for the Dole Training Volunteering Work Trials Complementary Programs New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, Harvest Labour Services, Experience +, National Green Jobs Corps, Youth Connections, Language, Literacy & Numeracy, Indigenous Employment Programs Flexible, Tailored Service Model enables integrated wrap around service assistance to address individual needs and local circumstances

Flexible pool of funding to purchase assistance to help job seekers get and keep a job, such as:   Vocational & Employability Skills Training   Work related clothing and safety equipment   Licences & certificates   Short term travel costs   Relocation costs to commence employment   Other personal support services, including dental, health and housing assistance   Employer Assistance – Wage subsidies, on-the-job training and mentoring for job seekers. EPF credits are attached to job seeker commencement but not to the job seeker. A notional bank and reimbursement model Employment Pathway Fund

 3 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) o KPI 1 – Efficiency o KPI 2 – Effectiveness o KPI 3 - Quality Assurance Framework  KPIs 1&2 assessed on the basis of performance measures and weightings = Star Ratings  KPI 3 ensures providers deliver the services contracted and that job seekers receive quality services Star Ratings are used by:  job seekers to assess the comparative performance of providers in their local area  providers to measure their contractual performance  DEEWR to measure performance and allocate business share to providers  Statistical regression analysis used to allow comparison of provider performances across Australia o Job seeker characteristics o Labour market characteristics  Period of performance assessment six monthly milestone periods that conclude at the end of June and December Performance Framework

New Remote Model Key features of the Remote Jobs and Communities Program:  Remote Employment and Participation Activities  Individualised, tailored assistance  Participation Account o Funding to address vocational and non-vocational barriers  Remote Youth Leadership and Development Corps (Youth Corps) o Tailored mentoring and training support  Community Action Plan (CAP) o Employment, economic and community development goals o Local stakeholder partnerships  Workforce Development Strategy o Regionally focused and demand-led strategies o Employer collaboration to address skills and labour shortages  Community Development Fund (CDF) o Initiatives to build community capacity New Remote Model

OVERVIEW MAP OF 59 REMOTE REGIONS Overview of Map of 59 Remote Regions

The National Broadband Network will:  Provide high-speed broadband access to all Australian homes and businesses through a mix of three technologies: o Optic fibre o Fixed wireless o Next generation satellite  93% of Australian homes, schools and businesses will have access through optic fibre  Optic fibre is capable of providing broadband speeds of up to one gigabyte per second  All Australian homes and businesses to be connected to national broadband by the end of the10 year roll out National Broadband Network – Future Strategies

Some Resources  Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations   Priority Areas   Demography and Population   Families in regional, rural and remote Australia Some Resources

NESA Level 8, Albert Road South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Australia Phone: Website: Contact Details