A federal government lead forum on employment opportunities for Indigenous people living on the Far South Coast was held in Bega on Wednesday.
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The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Indigenous Affairs Group said it is looking to “develop a strategy in the first quarter of 2018”, after speaking with employers, the community and training providers.
“We want these jobs to be long term sustainable jobs,” the department’s Steve Clarke said.
They need to understand where these kids are coming from.
- Katungul Aboriginal Medical Service CEO Rob Skeen.
“We want these to be mainstream employment opportunities.
“It is existing jobs we are looking for.”
One local researcher recently claimed the unemployment rate for traditional owners and non-traditional owners living in Tathra, Bega and Merimbula was as high as 70 per cent.
The small number of employees in the retail sector, cultural awareness, the need for a drivers license for many rural jobs, compulsory psychometric testing for traineeships and a lack of “big players” in the commercial sector at the forum were some of the issues raised.
There was a feeling after the forum among some in attendance, important issues were not discussed.
TAFE NSW’s Mark King said he is concerned the market driven economy clashes with a community driven lifestyle.
“There’s a confusing message that it [employing Indigenous people] is a social responsibility,” he said.
There was also concern surrounding the difficulties in navigating the complexities of government unemployment support services and short term employment opportunities.
Katungul Aboriginal Medical Service CEO Rob Skeen said the high level of disadvantage on the Far South Coast must be tackled.
“They [employers] have to have things in place so they understand Aboriginal people,” he said.
“Change has to come from within.
“They need to understand where these kids are coming from.”
Mr Skeen also said there are difficulties facing Indigenous organisation gaining government tenders, and they can often lose out to non-Indigenous organisations.
Katungal chair and Bega Valley Shire Council Indigenous liaison Graham Moore said past government lead self-employment programs had worked, and there was “no need to reinvent the wheel”.
“They were and are very successful, and you should not forget,” he said.
The government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy was also discussed, and Mr Clarke said the department will respond to the ideas raised early next year.