CMTEDD worked to deliver a range of programs, projects and initiatives to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans, this included:
- the launch of the directorate’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2017 and continued review and monitoring of implementation of the deliverables of the RAP through the CMTEDD Commitments Register to increase accountability for achieving commitments;
- the implementation of the RAP which is overseen by the RAP Implementation Working Group (RAPIWG) and is made up of employees from across CMTEDD and led by an Executive Sponsor. Some key achievements of the RAP so far include:
- formation of the RAPIWG;
- engagement of an Executive Sponsor to chair the RAPIWG;
- progression and ongoing support of the CMTEDD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mentoring Group, including a back to country excursion and cultural sensitivity session;
- development and review of the CMTEDD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Development Strategy;
- continuing inclusion of a Reconciliation category in the 2018 CMTEDD Staff Awards program, ensuring individuals and teams are recognised for their ongoing commitment to the directorate’s reconciliation journey;
- delivery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness training sessions to staff;
- the launch of a new employment pathway program that employed 10 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff to assist with events at Venues Canberra. The program provides opportunity for individuals to undertake paid work experience and training to support entry/re-entry to the workforce;
- successful completion and promotion of participants in the 2017 ACTPS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship program;
- promotion and delivery of events for NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week, including the presentation of two language sessions during NAIDOC Week and the celebration of the first anniversary of the launch of the Directorate’s RAP;
- presentation of Directorate Reconciliation Awards during NAIDOC Week; and
- celebration of the one year anniversary of the possum-skin cloak made by Ngunnawal women. During this celebration, the women were presented with certificates of appreciation and a copy of the video sharing their stories.
Other key work undertaken by CMTEDD to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans included:
- the continuation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Vocational Employment Program (previously the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship) and the provision of support and pastoral care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees, graduates and assistance and guidance for work areas;
- two National Reconciliation Week events which were supported by the Office for LGBTIQ Affairs and hosted by the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ Network, had over 250 participants in attendance;
- establishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Development and Entrepreneurship Program. The program is delivered under a Service Funding Agreement with local Indigenous business, Yerra Pty Ltd. The program received $200,000 in funding for 2018-19, to deliver targeted and specialised business, a Yarning Circle, employment training, advice, product and finance workshops, and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Trade Show (in the second year), and referrals to existing vocational training courses;
- building on the RAP to create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to engage in and influence the cultural life of the ACT, such as the planting of an Aboriginal garden at the Canberra Region Visitor Centre and Welcome to Country and interpretive signage designed in consultation with a local Ngunnawal advisor to be installed in 2018-19;
- increasing the size of the size of the Indigenous bush tucker garden at the National Arboretum Canberra as a commitment of the RAP. The garden demonstrates the plants used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for food, fibre, hunting, and medicines;
- working in close partnership with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, to begin work to reactivate Boomanulla Oval as an important hub for the local Indigenous community;
- implementing partnerships with major peak sporting organisations to increase the promotion and uptake of the Indigenous Small Grants Program;
- holding Canberra’s first Reconciliation Day public holiday on Monday 28 May 2018, making the ACT the first Australian jurisdiction to recognise Reconciliation Day as a public holiday;
- holding a public event in collaboration with the Community Service Directorate (CSD) to mark Reconciliation Day in Glebe Park which was attended by approximately 8,000 people. The events aim was to promote the understanding of the impact of historical events and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture;
- establishing a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Officer and continuing to co-design the new arts programs in response to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, in consultation with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Network, to deliver a suite of new specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts programs arts programs;
- piloting an indigenous artist exchange with Wellington City Council (New Zealand) which will strengthen cultural connections between cities, and acknowledge and celebrate what is unique to each place;
- engaging with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body and the United Ngunnawal Elders Council to inform the development of improved pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into training and employment opportunities;
- funding for targeted training support through the Australian Apprenticeships and Skilled Capital programs;
- supporting the training of the 205 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who commenced an Australian Apprenticeship from 1 June 2017 to 30 May 2018, through payments totalling $125,000;
- 42 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessed $82,000 in funding through Skilled Capital for qualifications and skills sets ranging from Certificate II to Diploma level across the Business, Community Services, Construction, ICT, Hospitality and Security sectors.
The directorate set a target for 2018 to halve the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous employment rates. This target remains challenging, however, those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans employed in apprenticeships and traineeships have made a significant contribution with:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples making up approximately 4.6% of all apprentices and trainees and 2.4% of Skilled Capital enrolments in the ACT. In comparison, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up approximately 1.6% of the ACT working-age population; and
- the 2017 Australian Government Funded Student Outcome Survey by National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) showing that 91% of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents were employed after completing their course which is higher than the national figure of 67% in 2017.
The Education Directorate and CMTEDD through Skills Canberra, have worked collaboratively to develop an expanded Australian School-Based Apprenticeship (ASBA) Initiative including:
- ten fully subsidised positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertake an ASBA through work at an ACT Public School; and
- five places that have a 50% wage subsidy for ASBAs working within ACT Government directorates.
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Pathway Program has also been developed by the directorate to:
- provide an opportunity for up to 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jobseekers to undertake a 12 week employment pathway program, incorporating a mix of accredited and non-accredited training, along with paid work placements with Venues Canberra;
- provide opportunities for pre-employment initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth at risk and adult jobseekers under the Skilling Australians Fund are also currently being explored through collaborative efforts of Skills Canberra, CMTEDD Corporate, CIT, ACT Education Directorate and Australian Government Department of Small Business;
- continue to grow and develop the ICT Traineeship Program which has been redesigned and new positions established with a new focus on the ICT help desk functions; and
- promote diversity and address of gaps through recruitment, retention and development to promote an inclusive culture.
The Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) is currently a priority for government and the directorate. An Indigenous Procurement Policy Committee has been established to develop the draft policy, which aims to promote and target opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander small to medium enterprises to further the economic independence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans.
CMTEDD has in support of the IPP, contributed to and undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers gain access to government business opportunities including:
- the delivery of three ACT Government construction projects implemented to strengthen Indigenous procurement outcomes including the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm, the Secure Mental Health Unit (Dhulwa), and the University of Canberra Hospital;
- the inclusion of Ngunnawal Elders in tender evaluation processes for projects with particular significance to the Territory’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and the involvement of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural liaison officer on projects during the design development stage; and
- approaching the Territory’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to undertake smoking ceremonies and/or water ceremonies and Welcome to Country at demolition; construction commencement, project handover, and is committed to the process for managing indigenous artefacts discovered on construction sites.
Further, CMTEDD is also committed to the prominent display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork in new facilities, and engages with the relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reference groups in naming of facilities.
Additionally the directorate:
- displayed the Australian Flag, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags and the ACT Flag in the Canberra Nara Centre, Winyu House, Cosmopolitan Building and the National Arboretum as a physical representation of the directorates commitment to reconciliation;
- delivered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness Training; and
- continued to grow and develop the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship Program.
I would like to thank all CMTEDD staff for their dedication and hard work during the past financial year and look forward to continuing to work with the directorate’s staff over the next year.
Kathy Leigh
Director-General