Northern Indigenous Employment

Getting on with business Employing Indigenous people

Community Partnership

The NIE is located on the ancestral lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

The NIE pays respects to all elders past and present.

NIE working group

Multi-award winning community partnership.

Formed in 2008 to increase employment, training and participation outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, particularly youth, in Melbourne’s Northern region.

25 Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal partners from employment, training, local government, education, health, sport, youth, community, media, mental health and advocacy organisations.

A community initiative

Maureen Simpson NIE proudly recognises

Some of us today...

Maureen Simpson NIE proudly recognises

More of us 2012...

Maureen Simpson

NIE Partnership who we represent...

Maureen Simpson We represent these organisations:

• Indigenous Education Centre (IEC), Kangan Institute • WISE Employment • Banyule Nillumbik Local Learning & Employment Network (BNLLEN) • City of Darebin • City of Hume • Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc (VAEAI) • 3KND Kool n Deadly Radio • Moreland City Council • City of Yarra • Shire of Nillumbik • Banyule City Council • City of Whittlesea • Hume Whittlesea Local Learning & Employment Network (HWLLEN) • ANTaR Victoria • Department of Health • Essendon Football Club • Department of Justice, Northern Metropolitan Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee • Job Prospects • Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Ltd (VACCA) • Australian Red Cross • Banyule Community Health • Girraway Ganyi Consultancy • Jobs Australia, Indigenous Network

Maureen Simpson NIE Council Partners

City of Hume

City of Darebin

City of Yarra

City of Moreland

City of Whittlesea NIE has become one of the premier employment initiatives within the Banyule City Council Melbourne Aboriginal community.

Colin Hunter Nillumbik Shire Council Wurundjeri Traditional Custodian,

Community Planner Aboriginal Partnerships, Community Advocacy,

Taking action... City of Yarra

Maureen Simpson NIE was formed because...

We wanted to meet the 2008 Close the Gap objective:

To halve the Employment Gap between Indigenous and Non- Indigenous Australians by 2018.

Which prompted three founding NIE partners to ask:

Q. What is the Indigenous employment gap in our local area?

Q. How can we close a gap if we don’t know what the gap is?

Asking questions…

Maureen Simpson Community consultation

From the outset, the NIE group has operated openly and inclusively through community engagement and consultation.

Before officially setting up the working group, we sought approval to establish the working group and gain advice on our objectives from the former Darebin Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Community Council (DATSICC) - now known as the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee (DAAC).

This consultation led NIE to understand our focus needed to remain on Non-Indigenous Employers, as this is where the DATSIC Council felt most of the work was needed.

NIE has faithfully maintained this focus for the best part of six years.

Seeking permission...

Maureen Simpson Setting long-term goals

1. Hold monthly NIE partnership meetings with special guest industry speakers 2. Host an annual NIE Business Recognition Awards Ceremony 3. Host a reconciliation week NIE Indigenous employment workshop

4. Produce annual publication to promote NIE business award recipient’s best practice 5. Maintain an NIE website to share Indigenous employment resources 6. Facilitate engagement and networking opportunities between NIE stakeholders 7. Provide Indigenous employment strategy support 8. Promote and procure services from Indigenous suppliers, artists, students 9. Conduct Indigenous employer, community and partner stakeholder research 10. Provide micro-level Indigenous employment data from Yarra, Plenty and Calder

11. Assist other local groups to adopt their own NIE partnership model

Making a plan...

Maureen Simpson NIE Official Launch

NIE partnership was officially launched in May 2010 as part of the first NIE Business Recognition Ceremony.

We shared our long-term objectives with over 120 guests.

We recognised six employers for best practice in employing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from Melbourne’s north.

Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal community members had found a common cause to care about.

The beginning... Maureen Simpson NIE Business Recognition categories

Moondani (Embrace) The business has employed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employee(s)

Karri-nun (Increase) 1. Business has applied to VCAT for EEO exemptions (Section 83 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1995) or is recruiting under ‘special measures’ to advertise and employ Indigenous specific employee(s) 2. Advertises for Indigenous staff, especially young indigenous employees 3. Employs an Indigenous Trainee(s) or Apprentice(s) 4. Is implementing Indigenous Employment Policies, Protocols and Strategies 5. Has Cultural Awareness Training available for staff

Woorrto-kon’ga-gat (Enlarge) 1. Business actively recruits and employs Indigenous Employees, including Trainees and Apprentices 2. Has introduced Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training to staff 3. Employs an Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) 4. Has Indigenous policies & procedures in place 5. Participates in and acknowledges Indigenous events 6. Has a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

About NIE recognition...

The NIE Business Recognition Awards bring much deserved focus to the economic and community life of the northern region of Melbourne.

It is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution business is making, not only to the economy of the region, but more importantly, to the people who make this place their home. For many, it is the start of a working life where they can enjoy the benefits of our prosperous nation. For others, it is the chance to re-enter the workforce and again feel the dignity of work and its rewards.

It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the commitment of individuals to improve life for themselves, their family and their community. For many, this involves the complex juggling of parenting, work and study, often with no or little assistance. It therefore makes their achievement all the more remarkable and should be noted as such. Ian Hamm | Director | Mostly though, the Awards are an opportunity to appreciate the sense Indigenous Economic Development of obligation to ourselves and to others that is demonstrated by a great Department of Business and Innovation many individuals, businesses, educators and trainers, all without whom our city would be the poorer. It is this manner of contribution which forms the bedrock of a confident, fairer and better society for us and future generations.

Maureen Simpson NIE Business Award recipients

Maureen Simpson What Employers say about the NIE Awards...

The MFB was very proud to receive recognition from NIE for its aim to increase Indigenous employment.

The award endorsed the MFB strategy to a long term commitment to achieving results in developing a diverse workforce.

The NIE Award affirmed that by adopting a thoughtful, consultative and responsive approach to the employment of Indigenous people, non- Indigenous organisations can be employers of choice for Indigenous people.

And this...

The NIE Award provided great recognition of NYCH’s policies and organisational culture that supports Aboriginal workers. The Award was celebrated by the Board of Directors and provided the whole organisation with positive feedback on how we are doing in this regard.

Our Cultural Coordinator has over many years put in a lot of work building relationships with our Indigenous community. He was very excited to receive the recognition that this award has provided.

NIE success and outcomes

NIE has hosted six Business Recognition Ceremonies NIE has hosted three Reconciliation Week events Increased employment outcomes in NIE partner organisations and further afield NIE won a Northern Metropolitan Regional Koori Justice Award 2013 NIE was a finalist at the Statewide Koori Justice Awards 2013 NIE Coordinator, Nicole Findlay, received Boonde Mak Balletak Reconciliation Award 2013 NIE has an informal partnership agreement signed by Aboriginal elders 2012 NIE has its own annual publication Getting on with business, Employing Aboriginal People NIE has recognised 37 employers for best practice in Indigenous recruitment NIE won an inaugural Community HART Award for reconciliation outcomes 2014

Fruits of our partnership... Maureen Simpson NIE partner outcomes

City of Darebin says...

With our NIE partners we have been able to source information and put into place best practice on things like employment retention rates, recruitment channels, action plans and policies. In addition we have welcomed opportunities to celebrate achievements and becoming part of real initiatives that help to close the gap.

Phillip O’Brien, Economic Development Unit

Roberta Vassallo, HR Recruitment Coordinator

Maureen Simpson City of Darebin – NIE outcomes

NIE has assisted City of Darebin with the following:

Provided information to help source specific Aboriginal candidates for employment with local Darebin small business operators.

NIE links provide access to information on things like appropriate work plans, retention rates and mentoring strategies.

To find and place three Indigenous Trainees in The partnerships and Council Business Administration roles within the opportunities to network that last 12 months. Two of these trainees are now have been afforded to Council employed in the Council’s casual admin pool and through being part of the NIE in external placements. cannot be underestimated.

This success has enabled Council to proceed with the recruitment of two new Indigenous Business Admin Trainees in 2014.

Maureen Simpson Red Cross – NIE outcomes

Red Cross has successfully implemented the following:

A National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) recruitment target of 6%

A National ATSI recruitment strategy with an internal Working Group to review the perceived and real challenges of recruiting and retaining ATSI staff in Red Cross. NIE includes many A Yarning Circle for ATSI staff to meet to discuss their Aboriginal & Torres Strait issues and organisational areas. Islander representatives from employment, education and In twelve months Red Cross has increased its ATSI training who have been very workforce in Victoria from two staff to ten and growing. supportive of our journey. By increasing their ATSI workforce Red Cross has changed its engagement processes and its understanding of ATSI community and job seeker issues.

Maureen Simpson Annual NIE survey Partners said this...

NIE is about knowledge sharing and having a central advocacy network that can advocate for employment opportunities. It helps inform my work, in developing strategies for our local government area. Local Council representative

I believe NIE has effectively provided a great sense of awareness to the community at large on the benefits of employing an Indigenous person. Employment Service Provider representative

I believe that this is the only group like it and we are lucky to have such a passionate collective of members!! Education and Training organisation representative

Maureen Simpson Why NIE works... NIE partners have a long-term commitment to improving and increasing Aboriginal employment and training outcomes in Melbourne’s north.

NIE has been highly successful at engaging employers through recognition and resources.

NIE activities attract a high number of Aboriginal community, leaders and job seekers, which provides employers with increased access and engagement opportunities.

NIE is a self-funded initiative so we don’t face funding cut risks and this has instilled a high sense of pride, independence and sustainability amongst partners and the broader Aboriginal community.

www.nie-group.com

Maureen Simpson Why NIE works... NIE’s on-going success has enabled us to see the possibilities and results of a positive partnership.

NIE activities enable Non-Aboriginal partners to gain confidence in the way they work and communicate with the Aboriginal community.

Aboriginal partners in turn feel more at ease with sharing knowledge and engaging more deeply with NIE Non-Aboriginal partners.

Trust between NIE partners has created flow- on-benefits to our own respective organisations.

www.nie-group.com

Maureen Simpson What’s most important...

Aboriginal community engagement

NIE works with Indigenous students and teachers.

Indigenous local performers/musicians perform at NIE events.

NIE works with Aboriginal Men’s & Women’s Health Groups.

NIE procures the services of Indigenous business suppliers for all our activities.

NIE books Traditional owners to do Welcome to Country ceremonies at all NIE events.

NIE holds events at Aboriginal community organisations.

NIE invites Aboriginal leaders and specialists from community, services and government sectors to speak at NIE events.

NIE broadcasts all NIE events on 3KND (Kool n Deadly) Indigenous radio. station.

Maureen Simpson How NIE contributes to reconciliation

“This type of local, cross sector, collaborative initiative that celebrates success is exactly what works to close the gap and realise reconciliation”.

Reconciliation Australia

Deb Chapman, Acting State Coordinator Reconciliation Victoria

Maureen Simpson Where to from here?

 Keep in touch via the NIE website

 Nominate a business for an NIE Award

 Become an NIE working group member

www.nie-group.com

Maureen Simpson Northern Indigenous Employment (NIE) Business Recognition Awards Ceremony

Friday 30 Oct 2015

Do you know a business providing employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people in Melbourne’s North?

Nominate them today!

www.nie-group.com

Maureen Simpson

Join us!

Maureen Simpson

Keep in touch!

www.nie-group.com

Maureen Simpson NIE proudly recognises

Maureen Simpson NIE proudly recognises

Maureen Simpson NIE proudly recognises

Maureen Simpson NIE proudly recognises

Maureen Simpson