Indigenous Employment Program

What is the Indigenous Employment Program?

Indigenous Employment Program (IEP)

The aim of IEP.....is to increase Indigenous Australians employment outcomes and participation in economic activities, contributing to the Governments commitment to halving the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment outcomes within a decade

IEP

For the Australian Government, IEP provides:–Direct engagement with Indigenous people–Capacity to target investment–Opportunity to provide leadership in engaging with Indigenous people across the State

Indigenous Employment ProgramKey Aims

• The IEP supports a broad range of activities that are responsive to the needs of employers, Indigenous Australians and their communities.

• Support is available for activities that help to achieve the objective of the IEP and that offer value for money. These could include activities that will:– encourage and support employers to provide sustainable employment

opportunities for Indigenous Australians; – encourage and support Indigenous Australians to take up training and

employment opportunities, stay in jobs and enhance their future employment prospects;

– assist Indigenous communities, industry bodies and groups of employers to develop Indigenous workforce and economic development strategies that support local and regional economic growth; or

– assist Indigenous Australians to develop sustainable businesses and economic opportunities in urban, regional and remote areas.

Indigenous Employment Program (IEP)

IEP

• focuses on employment outcomes

• complements other Government programs

• emphasises collaboration, not competition or duplication

IEP for Employers

How can the Indigenous Employment Program help employers find and keep Indigenous staff?

What is IEP Funding available for?Assistance and support may be available to:•develop an Indigenous employment strategy •conduct training and work familiarisation courses for current and potential Indigenous employees •provide on the job training and up skilling for potential and current employees•provide traineeships, cadetships and apprenticeships •provide accredited language, literacy and numeracy training •provide mentoring support and career guidance •contribute to the costs of employment through a wage subsidy (not 100%)

IEP costs do not generally include

• 100% wage subsidy for a position• Items funded through another program• Projects that incur a cost to participants• Purchase of assets• Overseas travel, training or conferences• Normal business set up or running costs

(wages, vehicles raw equipment etc)

Accessing IEP Funding

Access to IEP assistanceCLIENTS

Predesigned packages:

Indigenous Wage Subsidy; Indigenous Cadetships; CDEP Work Experience

Subsidy

IEP Panel members342 Organisations on the

Employment Panel265 on the Economic

Development and Business Support Panel

Directly negotiated tailored assistance, generally with employers or

Indigenous businesses

Via DEEWR

The IEP Panel

• IEP funding is competitive• Panel Members not guaranteed business• Panel Member and Program Guidelines• Existing Relationship with DEEWR • Assessed as having expertise in Indigenous

Employment or Business Development

IEP Panel Services

• 2 Panels – Employment and Economic Development and Business Support Panel

• Approx 340 Organisations on Employment Panel

• Can provide services Australia-wide• Current Request for Tender Process being

conducted – additional Panel Members from March 2012

IEP Employment Panel Services

IEP Providers have the proven ability to:•Equip employers with skills, knowledge and expertise to provide sustainable employment outcomes•Prepare Indigenous Australians to take up training and employment, stay in jobs and enhance their future employment prospects

Direct Employment

• Direct contract with DEEWR

• For business with expertise in recruiting and engaging with Indigenous workers

• Service Timeline for non-panel members

• Use application form on website

Further information

• Guidelines, Contact details and Panel Member Information available at:

www.deewr.gov.au/Indigenous/Employment/Programs/IEP/Pages/InformationforEmployers.aspx

Key areas for employers to consider before applying for support under

the IndigenousEmployment Program

Benefits of Employing Indigenous People

• New Market Opportunities• Introduction of Diversity – new perspectives

and creative thinking• Development of a stable and dedicated local

workforce – particularly Regional Qld• Positive Relationships with a future Workforce

– changing demographics

Successful IEP Projects need Employer engagement and commitment

Key Determinants of successful projects

Project design Meets the needs of employers and participants and community

Recruitment The right people, the right employer and the right job

Training Pre- Employment, Accredited/Non Accredited Training and Workplace Literacy and

Numeracy (WELL)

Employment Outcomes Commitment from employers

Intensive Mentoring and Coaching Specific and tailored mentoring, overcoming barriers and building individual capability

Which Model?

• IEP Panel Member or Direct Employment?

• Organisational Capacity

• Organisational Commitment

DEEWR Considerations in Assessing IEP Proposals

Funding for projects is merit – based and competitive so we look at:•Funding priorities (incl skills in demand)•Individual needs•Community needs and support•Employer demand and commitment

Considerations in Assessing IEP Proposals (cont)

• Job seeker availability• Sustainability• Opportunities for economic

development• Value for Money

Assessment Criteria• Contribute to the IEP Objective

• Value for money

• Realistic and achievable outcomes

• Outcome for local community

Successful Projects• Apprenticeships and traineeships• Construction• Mining• Wine and Tourism• Horticulture• Administration• Art Administration• Retail

Partnering with the Australian Government

Our Role

• We see our role as facilitating opportunities for Indigenous job seekers

• We have successfully collaborated with a number of employers across Australia

• Sharing expertise and resources benefits job seekers and employers

• We can link employers/panel members with other programs to maximise effectiveness (eg WELL)

• We have Regional Offices in Toowoomba, Gympie, Rockhampton, Townsville, Mackay and Cairns

• Staff with experience in Indigenous Employment

• Over 130 current IEP projects across the state

IEP ProjectsIEP funding is allocated on a project basis. Each project is individually negotiated and designed to address the requirements of the industry/employer/job seeker.Projects can include costs for: •Project Co-ordination•Training •Licences•MentoringCosts cannot be duplicated

Contracting

• Contracts are generally outcome based• Individually negotiated – all contracts are

different• Support for administrative staff• Contract manager allocation – to provide

guidance

Examples of successful collaborations with business

• ISS Facility Services• Energex • Thiess• Intercontinental Hotels Group• Sovereign Energy

• We have a number of Employers presenting at the conference who have successfully implemented IEP Projects with excellent results

• We also have IEP Panel Members who will also be presenting on strategies for successfully engaging with Indigenous Australians and sharing their experiences

Case Study

• ISS Facility Services• The Challenge – improve retention rates and

provide long term careers in the Airport Security industry

• Involves identifying, training and mentoring

Contact Details

• Ipswich/Logan/Gold Coast – Angela Young• (07)3223 1317• Sunshine Coast/Gympie/Wide Bay Burnett -

Sharon Brown• (07)3223 1306• Caboolture/North Brisbane/South Brisbane –

Garry Nelson• (07)3223 1353

Questions

Further Information

• Indigenous Employment Line on1802 102 • Guidelines -

http://www.deewr.gov.au/Indigenous/Employment/Programs/IEP/Pages/InformationforBusiness.aspx

• Mailbox – IndigenousjandbQLD@deewr.gov.au