Foundation Strategy

Keepit Region ACES: Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy

Opening Session: Aboriginal Employment Forum Gunnedah, 19 May 2009.

September 2009

Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)

Table of Contents
Preamble......................................................................................................................................................................3 Purpose........................................................................................................................................................................4 Principles.....................................................................................................................................................................4 Position and Programs..............................................................................................................................................5 NIRDB Auspice...................................................................................................................................................5 Whole of Region Approach...............................................................................................................................6 Aboriginal Employment......................................................................................................................................7 ACES Consortium...............................................................................................................................................7 Emerging Strategies...................................................................................................................................................9 Participation..............................................................................................................................................................13 Precautions................................................................................................................................................................14 Next Steps.................................................................................................................................................................15 Reporting to DEEWR.......................................................................................................................................15 Distribution and Promotion of Foundation Strategy..................................................................................15 Gunnedah Shire Council STEP Initiative......................................................................................................15 ACES Consortium and the Indigenous Employment Program................................................................17 Maintaining the Momentum.............................................................................................................................17 Business & Employer Forums.........................................................................................................................17 Completing the Strategy....................................................................................................................................17 Appendices...............................................................................................................................................................19 Regional Forum: List of Attendees.................................................................................................................19 Briefing for Regional Forum Emerging Priorities.....................................................................................20

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) Preamble
The Keepit Aboriginal1 Community Employment Strategy (ACES) 'Foundation Strategy' summarises the outcomes and developments from six months of work by the Northern Inland Regional Development Board (NIRDB) on the Gunnedah Indigenous Skills Development Project. This work has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). The 'Foundation Strategy' is simply that the 'foundations' for the strategy. While further work is required to complete the strategic planning, especially to ensure involvement of the wider region and different key stakeholder groups, the Foundation Strategy still provides a clear basis for initiatives and actions to take place across the regional addressing the clear priorities identified already. The regional strategic planning done to date culminated with the Regional Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) Forum held in Gunnedah on 19 May 2009. It was attended by more than 50 representatives from key stakeholders in Aboriginal employment from Gunnedah, Quirindi, Walhallow, Narrabri and Wee Waa, plus representatives from stakeholders in the greater region including Tamworth, Sydney and Armidale. These participants also reflected a wide cross section of stakeholders including employers and employment service providers; training organisations and schools; Aboriginal and other community organisations; media; and local, state and federal government bodies and agencies. In turn, the Regional Forum and strategic planning were an extension of earlier research work undertaken by the NIRDB looking at Aboriginal employment and enterprise2 and industry skill requirements more broadly3. The Appendices include a full list of Forum participants as well as a summary of the priorities which emerged from stakeholder meetings and discussions prior to the Forum. The NIRDB would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of time, energy and money by many individuals and organisations from the Aboriginal and wider community into this 'foundation' strategic plan and the shared goal of closing the gap on Aboriginal employment and economic wellbeing across the Keepit Region. Closing the Gap of Aboriginal employment and economic wellbing is a national priority as agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). This is especially important for the Keepit Region within the New England North West Region which has the lowest Aboriginal employment and economic participation rates in NSW: 74.5% for Aboriginal men (93.7% non Aboriginal) and, 75.3% for Aboriginal women (93.9% non Aboriginal)4.
1 The name 'Aboriginal', rather than 'Indigenous', is used at the request of key Aboriginal organisations and stakeholders, reflecting a recent policy decision made at the NSW Land Council Conference 2 Aboriginal Employment and Enterprise in the Gunnedah Region, Northern Inland Regional Development Board, 2008 3 Industry Skills Requirement Survey, Northern Inland Regional Development Board, 2007. 4 Two Ways Together, Report on Indicators 2007, NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) Purpose
The purpose of the Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) is to improve the economic participation and wellbeing of Aboriginal people by increasing number and quality of Aboriginal jobs in the Keepit Region5 and help close the gap on Aboriginal economic participation and wellbeing. We can develop a pathway that we can both understand and walk on together... we want action as well as a strategic plan. Janelle Speed, Facilitator

This vision is to be achieved through collaborative initiatives by key stakeholders which address regional priority issues and opportunities. The key stakeholders reflect the wide range of interests in Aboriginal employment including employers and employment service providers; training organisations and schools; Aboriginal and other community organisations; media; and local, state and federal government bodies and agencies.

Principles
While it is relatively early in the development of the Strategy there are some clear principles emerging that distinguish and underpin the Keepit ACES. Taking a new approach and work with Aboriginal and nonAboriginal stakeholders local, regional and national together in partnership to identify, agree and act on shared priorities. This approach brings together bottomup and top-down priorities, creating new collaboration, partnerships and networks; Making a demonstrated commitment time, energy and resources and being proactive to give the strategy and related initiatives the best chance of success, recognising that this will be challenging and take considerable time; and,

Ideas on Education by School Students, Regional Forum

5 The Keepit Region includes the Shires of Gunnedah, Narrabri and Liverpool Plains.

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Identifying strategies and priorities for action through processes that involve the many key stakeholders relevant to Aboriginal employment and economic wellbeing local, regional and national; Strong communication, providing mechanisms and forums for the views of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders to be heard and better understood by each other and the many key stakeholders involved.

Position and Programs

Detailed below are the key qualities of the Keepit ACES that define its unique and compimentary position and role in the Keepit Region. The specific programs and mechanisms utilised to complete and implement the Keepit ACES will need to be further defined, including an appropriate governance structure.

NIRDB Auspice
Keepit ACES is currently auspiced by the Northern Inland Regional Development Board (NIRDB). This fits well with the NIRDB's role which includes promoting regional development, developing local leadership, involving all levels of government and championing key initiatives. In this way the NIRDB is a facilitator more than a service-delivery agency which reinforces the principle of implementing the strategy and priority initiatives in collaboration with other key stakeholdesrs. It seems likely that to have the greatest affect the Keepit ACES will also be governed and work in such a way as to enhance and build existing organisations and services wherever possible rather than directly undertake services and programs though this may be necessary and valuable from time to time if the required expertise and capacity does not exist elsewhere. The likely ideal is that over time the regional governance structure becomes self-sustaining of the NIRDB's auspice, though careful assessment would be required to ensure sufficient capacity had been established before any formal separation took place.

Opening Session - Regional Forum

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Whole of Region Approach
If we can all get together and really get a good action plan going together, then we can actually get some jobs. Jane Bender, Chief Executive Officer, Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation

The Keepit ACES is a 'whole of region' approach to Aboriginal employment, recognising that government cannot sufficiently solve this problem by acting alone and strategies are required to better coordinate the efforts and strengths of all stakeholders. The defining qualities of this approach are: 1. A focus on strategies and initiatives that are either undertaken region-wide or are of region-wide significance. The Keepit Region includes the Shires of Gunnedah, Narrabri and Liverpool Plains and population centres including Quirindi, Walhallow, Gunnedah, Wee Waa and Narrabri; 2. Identifying strategies and priorities for action through processes that involve the many key stakeholders relevant to Aboriginal employment and economic wellbeing local, regional and national; and, It's been needed for well over 20 years. We need to bring black and white cultures together. 3. The inclusion and involvement of key stakeholders from areas relevant to Aboriginal employment, namely: employers and employment service providers; training organisations and schools; Aboriginal and other community organisations; media; and local, state and federal government bodies and agencies. This 'whole of region approach' enables key stakeholders to work together, drawing on their own and each other's strengths and assets and also provide a significant new basis for Marilyn Binge, Community College, Narrabri

Talking about Job Journeys - Gunnedah Forum

negotiations within the region as well as with state-wide, national and potentially even international stakeholders to further enhance collaboration, partnerships and funding for implementation of the strategy.

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Aboriginal Employment
Having adequate employment opportunities for Aboriginal people is absolutely essential. Mayor Adam Marshall, Gunnedah Shire Council

The Keepit ACES will solely undertake programs and strategies that clearly contribute to closing the gap on Aboriginal employment and economic participation which means increasing both the number and the quality of jobs. At the same time the strategy is holistic, informed by all relevant key stakeholders to ensure that strategies address all priority issues and opportunties that affect job outcomes.

ACES Consortium
The Keepit ACES Consortium is a formal grouping of key organisations from the Region that was formed and successfully tendered for the Australian Government Indigenous Employment Program. The Northern Inland Regional Development Board (NIRDB) is the designated lead agency for the Consortium and the other members are: Quirindi Aboriginal Corporation; Min Min Aboriginal Corporation; Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council; and, Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation.

Initial Planning Meeting: ACES Consortium Tender

With their appointment to the Indigenous Employment Program the Keepit ACES Consortium will potentially become a key mechanism for completion and implementation of the Keepit ACES. There is scope for the ACES Consortium to consider priorites in this Foundation Strategy in any future discussions regarding initiatives under the Indigenous Employment Program. The Consortium first formed at a meeting held on 15 April 2009 for the purpose of submitting this tender, which was supplemented with Letters of Support from Gunnedah Shire Council and BHP's Caroona Coal Project. The original purpose for the tender was to help strengthen Aboriginal employment and business development in light of the imminent conclusion of the Community Development and Employment Program (CDEP).

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) Emerging Strategies
Six strategies have been identified from the work undertaken to date as the most pressing regional priorities and opportunities for Aboriginal employment, namely: 1. Motivation and Mentoring; 2. Working together building understanding and trust (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations); 3. Cultural Awareness Programs; 4. Training, Education and Support; 5. Direct opportunities for Employment; and, 6. Business Development.

Working Group, Aboriginal Employment Forum

Priority Actions have also been identified for each of these six strategies (detailed on the following page) and present a clear basis for initiatives to begin that address regional priorities identified to date. Significantly more priorities have been identified which are documented for consideration in the next stages of strategic planning. This further work completing the strategic plan is particularly required to ensure involvement of other key stakeholders for the Keepit Region (included those not located within the region, such as state-wide and national organisations). Following this additional stakeholder input each of the priority initiatives for implementation can be developed into an action plan with S.M.A.R.T. targets and goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound) supported by a budget. Targets and goals may also stretch to be more ambitious if desired, arguably continuing with the significant and unexpected progress made on this work already.

Findings: Aboriginal Employment Forum

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
The setting of goals and budgets is an important step for the success of the strategies, even though it is recognised that securing the full budget for total implementation is unlikely. What is more likely is that that priority initiatives will be implemented as the necessary partnerships, agreements and resources are confirmed. Each working group also identified the reasons for why and how each strategy was important to improving the number and quality of jobs for Aboriginal people. These were: 1. Motivation and Mentoring to build confidence and self esteem, improve the quality of life and lifestyles. The setting of goals is especially key to creating employment opportunties and giving direction. 2. Working together building understanding and trust (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations) to build trust, know the expectations of different parties involved, better express goals and needs, be able to be direct and culturally sensitive and to leave baggage at home! 3. Cultural Awareness Programs to educate all people to better understand each other, because knowledge of culture leads to respect and self confidence and lack of cultural understanding can lead to intimidation and lost history. Aboriginal people need to be able to trust the services that they're going to that they have their best interests at heart. Denise Merritt, Indigenous Service Officer, Centrelink

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
4. Training, Education and Support to get into mainstream employment, build self esteem and confidence, gain knowledge and experience, further careers while in employment, open up opportunities and be better able to cope with change. I believe education is the way of the future for all us people. Learning is a two way street. Mark Morgan, Coordinator, Aboriginal Rural Training Program, Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre 5. Direct opportunities for Employment the working group focussed on the importance of employment itself for Aboriginal people and identified the following values: Self sustainability, to survive and feed ourselves! Self esteem, pride, equity, self worth and recognition Wellbeing and empowerment

6. Business Development to better recognise and promote succesful Aboriginal enterprises, enhance their success and create pathways for others to follow. Instead of us staying at the back carriage of the train where they expected us to for the last 150 years, let's get up in that front carriage and drive that train! Jane Bender, Chief Executive Officer, Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) Participation
There has been significant participation in the development of the Keepit ACES to date and further involvement will be key to its completion and successful implementation. The next stage of participation though will need to take a more formal focus on identifying key participants for the purpose of undertaking initiatives and implementation. In addition to the direct participants in this work to date, the ACES Consortium brings an extensive network of partnerships and other organisations to this need including: Training Organisations: TAFE New England Institute, Australian Defence, NewTrain, Northern Inland Community Colleges, UNE Partnerships Employers and Industry Groups: Prime Super, BHP, Whitehaven Coal Mines, Regional Tourism, Gunnedah District Development Board Government: Department of State and Regional Development, Shire Councils (Liverpool Plains, Gunnedah and Narrabri), AusIndustry, Regional Coordination Management Group Employment Service Providers: Wesley Uniting Employment, Jobs Australia, TESA Key Community Organisations: Namoi Catchment Management Authority

CDEP Transition Workshop

Also, the stakeholder communications to date have been well supported by a substantial network including: Narrabri Business eNews and Interagency groups; NIRDB's Black Business Connections; Gunnedah Indigenous Service Delivery Interagency, Youth Interagency and Place Team; Centrelink's Aboriginal Employment Interagency group; and, NSW Government's New England North West Regional Coordination Management Group.

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) Precautions
As with any significant new endeavour there are challenges to maintain interest, involvement and support, generating sufficient funding and resources as well as moving into to the critical pursuit of meaningful action and outcomes. We've had all this stuff before and it hasn't gone anywhere. Aunty Gwen Griffen, Chair Min Min Aboriginal Corporation & Councillor, Gunnedah Shire Council Many of the key stakeholders involved through this work remarked that they had 'seen and heard this all before'. This reflects the experience of Aboriginal people nationally, not just the Keepit Region, and so there is an especially significant challenge for the Keepit ACES to demonstrate meaningful action and outcomes. Over time these efforts would ideally start to affect the prevailing cynicism and despair which in turn will improve the quality of stakeholder engagement and efforts. Reinforcing this, there is also a need to demonstrate through meaningful action, visible progress and valuable change that this Foundation Strategy can, is and will make a difference to the quality and quantity of Aboriginal employment. It is through this success that the Keepit ACES can establish its value and credibility and over time become a key and self-sustaining endeavour. What is now required to achieve these goals and address these risks is further resources and commitment commitments of time, skill, knowledge, people and money. In the immediate term there is need to provide the ongoing support required to maintain the momentum, communication and networks achieved in the work undertaken to date. At the same time there is arguably a need to continue to expand the inclusiveness of this work. For example, while significant effort has been made to develop a truly 'regional' approach to Aboriginal employment, there is nonetheless a visible Gunnedah bias to the range of stakeholders who have meaningfully engaged to date. In this regard it is employers and business that are the most absent stakeholder group to yet engage. The priority initiative identified of convening one or a series of targeted Regional Business Forums could establish a better understanding the barriers and strategies to address this critical area of need. To facilitate the continued success of this work the Northern Inland Regional Development Board has agreed to host an email network of Keepit Region stakeholders to facilitate communication, information sharing and network development beyond the conclusion of this specific phase of strategy development.

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) Next Steps
The mapping on the following page details the complete details of next steps and actions that were identified at the Region Forum, though more details are provided below of the most pressing priorities to be undertaken. With motivation and mentoring they have the goals, will take the opportunies and will head in the right direction. Jack McCaw, Defence Force Recruitment

Reporting to DEEWR
This Foundation Strategy, together with a Final Report and recommendations, will be prepared for the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. A short video documentary will also be presented including footage and interviews from the Regional Forum and a complete package of photographs and written documentation.

Distribution and Promotion of Foundation Strategy

Following the presentation to DEEWR (above) the Foundation Strategy will be circulated to key stakeholders together with the documentary and documentation package. The release of these outcomes will also be promoted more widely through the media and regional networks.

Gunnedah Shire Council STEP Initiative

At the CDEP Transition Workshop was held in Gunnedah on 1 April 2009, Gunnedah Shire Council Mayor Adam Marshall agreed to investigate the development of a Structured Training and Employment Program (STEP) for Council. The CDEP Transition Workshop was held to address the imminent conclusion of the CDEP which would affect some 100 plus employment positions across the Keepit Region and was attended by attended by a range of Aboriginal stakeholders including Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), Gunida Gunyah, Red Chief LALC, Min Min Aboriginal Corporation, TAFE New England Institute Aboriginal Education and Training Unit and Business New England North West's Aboriginal Enterprise Development. The NIRDB was also in attendance. Gunida Gunyah and Min Min expressed their willingness to provide support for Council to investigate the feasibility of this initiative.

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
ACES Consortium and the Indigenous Employment Program
The succesful tender by the ACES Consortium for the Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) provides a key opportunity to seek financial and other support where implementation of priority initiatives and completion of this strategy is aligned with Australian Government objectives under the IEP. Discussions are underway to arrange meetings with relevant representatives from the IEP in this regard.

Maintaining the Momentum

There is an immediate need to provide meaningful support to maintain the momentum, communication and networks achieved in the work undertaken to date. While the NIRDB has agreed to host the regional email network this is not sufficient alone. It is believed that this support would maintain a clear focus on progressing, and potentially implementing, the priority initiatives identified. In this way the support would take an active and proactive stance.

Business & Employer Forums

The NIRDB is concurrently working on a Northern Inland Aboriginal Jobs Roadshow in partnership with numerous other agencies. There is an immediate opportunity to align this iniative with the priority identified above of strengthening the engagement of business and employers in the Keepit ACES.

Completing the Strategy

Significant progress has been made on identifying the priority regional strategies and initiatives however further work is required to complete the Keepit ACES Strategy in a manner consistent with its purpose and principles. Some of the key steps required to achieve this are: Expand the inclusion of key stakeholders. While significant effort has been taken to develop a truly 'regional' approach to Aboriginal employment, and significant success too, there is nonetheless a visible Gunnedah bias to the range of stakeholders who have meaningfully engaged to date. Workshops or similar need to be held in Narrabri and Quirindi to broaden the geographic reach and inclusion; Further, employers and business that are the most stakeholder group yet to fully engage. While there have been some involved, such as BHP and government agencies and services, private business is especially absent; So too, there are stakeholders beyond the Keepit Region, such as state-wide and national organisations,

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
that need to be identified and invited to become involved; Commence formal negotiations with key stakeholders to build agreements for participation, partnerships, support, funding and resources; While these steps are being undertaken the Strategy itself need to be refined and completed, particularly in regards to creating an appropriate governance structure and expanding on the priority initiatives into an action plan with S.M.A.R.T. targets and goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound) supported by a budget.

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES) Appendices Regional Forum: List of Attendees

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Foundation Strategy
Keepit Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy (ACES)
Briefing for Regional Forum Emerging Priorities
The below map summarises the priorities for Aboriginal employment that were identified during stakeholder meetings and discussions over six months prior to the Regional Forum. This mapping was provided as a background briefing to inform stakeholder discussions at the Regional Forum.

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