1. INDIGENOUS SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Evaluating the Recruitment, Training and Retention of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce 16 September 2011 Paper presented by Professor Nereda White Australian Catholic University

3. What skills and knowledge do Indigenous people need for successful participation in the workforce?

4. In what ways can employers support Indigenous workers?

5. What are some good case studies that we can learn from?

7. Indigenous people in regional areas were more likely to have jobs with lower skill levels than non-Indigenous people, and were much less likely to be self employed (Productivity Commission, 2009).

8. The challenge facing Indigenous Australians when they leave supported employment schemes and move into the mainstream labour market.

11. Labour market discrimination

13. Lack of aspirations to work and role models

14. Lack of confidence

15. Poor interview technique

16. Lack of appropriate workplace communication skills

17. Difference in skill-sets

19. Indigenous participation in the mining/construction industry has increased

20. Indigenous participation has remained marginal despite this growth

21. Relatively high turnover rates for Aboriginal employees and trainees

22. Over-represented in low skilled jobs while under-represented in higher level jobs

24. Balancing family and community obligations with the demands of full-time work, especially with the FIFO arrangements

25. Poor work behaviours

26. Poor health or lack of work fitness

27. A lack of exposure to the mainstream workforce

28. Challenge of moving from a welfare to work psychology

29. Housing and accommodation

32. Job Participation

33. Government initiatives

34. Indigenous Employment Program

35. Industry initiatives and partnerships with communities

37. What are the perceptions and employment aspirations of Indigenous workers for the mining and construction industries?

38. How can the recruitment and retention of Indigenous workers in the mining and construction industries be improved?

39. What are the best practices for the recruitment, participation and retention of Indigenous Trainees/Cadets in the mining and construction industries? How do they work?