Indigenous Job Seekers ‘Motivated’ - Report

National Not for Profit employment organisation, the AES, has launched an Australian-first report into Indigenous careers, assessing training and employment experiences, opportunities and long-term aspirations for vocation seekers.

The independent research by Newspoll surveyed 300 Indigenous career seekers and those with employment.

The AES is a centre for indigenous know how, supporting Indigenous Australians in establishing successful careers. The AES delivers school based training programs, group training, apprenticeships, recruitment services, mentorships and community-based programs.

The AES says the survey found participants to be focused, motivated and ambitious, with a deep-rooted commitment to education and training to further their career goals.

The report found that:

• 97% believe that education is important to them; with one in four undertaking training or education to help secure the career of their choice.
• 96% say that a career is important to them; with 99% citing job security as a critical factor when seeking employment.
• Two in five (39%) see themselves as either a business owner, manager or in a leadership position within five years.
• 87% of AES career seekers say owning a home is important to them. 

For candidates placed during the last 12 months, working across a diverse range of industries, including banking and finance, law, property, retail, transport, construction, manufacturing and childcare, AES says the outlook appears even more positive:

• Two thirds (66%) see themselves as either a business owner, manager or in a leadership position within five years. 
• Half (51%) are confident of a promotion within the next 12 months. 
• Four in ten feel they will be earning above $60,000 in five years time. 

The Report was launched at the NSW State Library with the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Victor Dominello along with the AES’ corporate partners, including The Big Four Banks, Qantas, Telstra, Woodside, Nine Entertainment Group, Westfield and Worley Parsons

Minister Dominello said it was important for Government and Corporate Australia to work collaboratively with each other, alongside organisations like the AES, to deliver effective employment programs that provide opportunities and support the career progression of these motivated individuals.

The AES says its Careers Report identifies five important steps designed to provide sustainable solutions to Indigenous unemployment in Australia, that representatives from Corporate Australia and Government have now pledged their commitment to.

These are:

1. Providing a framework that ensures Indigenous career seekers are better equipped in choosing a career.
2. Establishing career based opportunities that encourage and support career progression.
3. Making graduate and cadetship programs an essential first step on the career ladder – supported by a group-training model.
4. Providing third party coaching and guidance to career seekers and placed candidates.
5. Ensuring 50% of the total Indigenous workforce is working in medium to high-level occupations within the next five years.

AES CEO, Danny Lester says while there have been significant achievements made in working towards the long-term placement of Indigenous Australians in medium to high-level occupations, there is still a long way to go.

Lester says that during the last five years, the AES has been responsible for increasing the current Indigenous workforce by 5% (5,500) however, the unemployment rate for Indigenous Australians has remained between 17-18% since 2000 (2000-2009 ABS Census).

He says more than ever, there is a need for greater collaboration between Government and Corporate Australia if we are to improve the socio-economic outlook of thousands of Indigenous Australians.

He says the focus now needs to be firmly on providing a robust framework that ensures that every Indigenous Australian has exactly the same career opportunities available to them as non-Indigenous.

For more information go to: www.aes.org.au