Goldfields Aboriginal Workforce Development Centre

Five Strategic Themes Premiers Award 2012 Connecting employers and Aboriginal job seekers Engaging local knowledge to achieve regional outcomes Improve transitioning through mentoring and support Removing barriers to participation Raise awareness of opportunities and promoting role models Premiers Award 2012

Our Key Strategies Skilling WA is the State Government’s workforce development plan for Western Australia which was released late in 2010. Its five strategic goals set the overarching framework for building, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce. A priority action under Goal 1 is to implement the Training Together Working Together Strategy which was also released in 2010. The Training Together Working Together Strategy was developed at the request of the former Minister for Training and Workforce Development, the Hon Peter Collier. A Committee, led by Dr Sue Gordon and Mr Keith Spence of the State Training Board, developed the report after a comprehensive consultation process throughout the State, involving over 500 people . The Committee identified that Aboriginal people were often unaware of how to connect with job opportunities, while employers were confused by the array of funding sources and programs. The resulting inefficiencies urgently needed to be addressed. A key theme of the report therefore was the need to ‘join the dots’ by facilitating better connections between Aboriginal jobseekers, employers and services. Another key theme was the need to engage local knowledge and capacity to achieve employment outcomes – recognising that a “one size fits all” approach will not work. In response to Training Together Working Together, the State Government has established five Aboriginal Workforce Development Centres.

Engage local knowledge to achieve regional outcomes… Local Advisory Groups – predominantly Aboriginal; also industry and community representation. Support employers to attract, recruit, retain Aboriginal staff – partnering with industry Local solutions for local issues Support Aboriginal people to obtain meaningful and long-lasting employment – aspirations of individuals Project funding The network coordination model that we have adopted also responds to the community and the diverse circumstances that exist in each location. Each Centre is guided by a local Advisory Group made up of Aboriginal people, industry representatives and key service providers. The Aboriginal members form the majority of the membership and each Advisory Group is chaired by an elected Aboriginal person. This ensures that the Centres are targeting the issues that matter locally and coming up with solutions that will work locally. The engagement of Aboriginal people in shaping the service promotes ownership and helps us to deliver a culturally sensitive service.

Organising projects, promoting upskilling and harnessing local potential..... Industry Forums Logistics Employment Options training Northern Corridor – Yaaliku project Working Professional’s Association Youth focus - Better Futures/Switched on Schools

Connecting employers and Aboriginal jobseekers Industry information sessions Outreach activities Expos Deadly Jobs Face book page

Connecting employers and jobseekers Since 2011: 389 Aboriginal people have been assisted into employment or training via the Centre. 525 individual job seekers from here/across WA have been assisted by the Goldfields AWDC. 4,183 client contacts have been made. In addition: 54 employer/industries have been supported. 120 service providers have been liaised with. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oqVYZVGEls

Patricia Thomson Michelle Forrest Garry O’Donnell (Advisory) Any Questions? Patricia Thomson Michelle Forrest Garry O’Donnell (Advisory)