GETTING IT RIGHT EMPLOYING INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: BENEFITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS 2ND EDITION - JULY 2004

Transcription

1 GETTING IT RIGHT EMPLOYING INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: BENEFITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS 2ND EDITION - JULY 2004

2 GETTING IT RIGHT The Indigenous Australian population is young, energetic and creative potentially an excellent and growing source of workers for your business. However, a range of cultural and historical factors have prevented Indigenous people from getting a fair share of jobs, particularly in the private sector. Indigenous communities are seeking improved employment outcomes for their people. To do this they need to work in partnership with businesses who have a commitment to providing long term jobs. You can make a difference a difference for individuals, families and communities. A difference that your customers, employees and competitors will recognise and respect. Employers who welcome and support Indigenous people are not just doing "the right and decent thing" - they are doing something that can provide real benefits to their business. Here s how.

3 SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE Assistance is available from Federal and State government agencies to employers who wish to improve Indigenous employment and to support their local Indigenous communities. THIS ASSISTANCE INCLUDES: > Support to develop an Indigenous employment strategy for your organisation > Guidance in developing links with your local Indigenous community > Pre-employment, cross-cultural awareness and accredited training > Recruitment assistance > Marketing and other initiatives that facilitate the supply of suitable jobseekers to your jobs > Wage assistance > Mentoring of participants and coordination of the project WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you would like to find out more contact David Puckeridge; t: (02) m: e: or Christine Rosemond; t: (02) m: or e: at GROW Employment Council. David and Christine will help connect you with the right people to meet your needs.

4 FINDING THE RIGHT PEOPLE The number of Indigenous entrants to the job market is increasing much faster than that of the non-indigenous population. In a climate of growing skill shortages and an aging workforce, it makes sense for employers to access as much of the available jobseeker market as they can to ensure they find the right people. REFLECTING THE CUSTOMER BASE Indigenous people as consumers of goods and services do respond favourably to businesses that provide opportunities for members of their community. A workforce that reflects the diversity of its customer base can also better understand its needs and interests and be quick to see new business opportunities. OPPORTUNITIES WITH INDIGENOUS ORGANISATIONS Indigenous organisations are significant purchasers of goods and services. Developing a reputation as an "Indigenous friendly" organisation will enhance your ability to do business with these organisations. Commercial opportunities also exist with these organisations. For example, Aboriginal Land Councils often seek joint venture opportunities to provide benefit to their communities. Recent research has also shown that businesses that work closely with Indigenous organisations benefit by developing new and diversified operations. This includes international markets where cross-cultural expertise can be a major selling point.

5 AN ASSET TO YOUR TEAM It is now widely accepted that employees from diverse backgrounds bring different perspectives, new ideas and solutions, challenge accepted views and stimulate team creativity. Indigenous recruits can add a new dimension to the diversity of your team including their unique culture, their practical orientation and their good humour. BUILDING YOUR REPUTATION practices. Actively building a reputation as a good employer one which values diversity and which supports Indigenous employment can create and reinforce customer loyalty. A reputation for providing a progressive, open and inclusive workplace can also help a business attract and retain the best staff, both Indigenous and non-indigenous. Many of the best young people now entering the market are particularly conscious of such issues and show a strong preference for employers with a reputation for providing this kind of workplace. The reputation of a business as a good corporate citizen is an important, but frequently undervalued intangible asset. Consumers are increasingly sensitive to the reputation of businesses across the full range of their

6 Getting it Right is a GROW Employment Council initiative that aims to reduce economic disadvantage of Indigenous Australians by improving employment outcomes. It builds on the strong desire of both employers and Indigenous communities to advance the goals of mutual understanding through practical strategies that make a difference to people s lives. Original artwork: Leanne Hunter Design: Claire Edwards Printers: JS McMillan Printing It is based on a shared belief that better results will be achieved if we can find more common ground between the culture and expectations of the workplace and the culture and aspirations of Indigenous Australians. Getting it Right includes a series of publications and events that aim to build the capacity of employers, Indigenous community organisations, Indigenous jobseekers, Job Network Members, New Apprenticeship Centres and Group Training Companies to improve Indigenous employment. The strategy was initiated and developed by the GROW Employment Council, the Area Consultative Committee for Sydney, primarily in partnership with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. The graphic design of Getting it Right products is based on the artwork of Aboriginal artist Leeanne Hunter. The main messages depicted by Leeanne are the goal of improved Indigenous employment outcomes and the strength of partnerships that are needed to achieve this goal.