This was the first meeting of a newly appointed CDEP Consultative Group (CCG) for 2012-2013. The group now consists of fourteen members – ten who were members in the previous year and four new members. Former CCG members discussed the role of the CCG, its past achievements and how they would like to see the sector go forward. Members felt that they have been strong and effective advocates for the sector in providing policy and program advice to the Government. Meetings allowed members to discuss common issues and challenges, and encouraged an environment of learning and continuous improvement.
Policy Matters and Program Directions
1. Remote Jobs and Communities Program
- The CCG received a joint presentation from FaHCSIA and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) on the directions of the new program. This information was also presented more broadly at public information sessions conducted in at least 90 communities throughout May-July 2012. For more information, see the
DEEWR website. - These sessions presented general information for communities, specific information for providers and provided an opportunity for discussion on the implementation of the RJCP. Interpreters were provided where appropriate.
With regard to the RJCP CCG:
- Welcomes the overall directions of the new program.
- Emphasised that smaller Indigenous provider’s need information on how to participate in the new arrangements.
- Requested that there be opportunity for the community to get information and ask questions about the transition in addition to the planned information and consultation sessions.
- Suggested that the Government develop a strategy to support CDEP providers who are unsuccessful in the application process, including the management of documents and assets.
- Suggested that the Community Action Plans (CAPs) consider the social barriers that make it difficult for Indigenous people to gain employment i.e. social disadvantage, grief, loss of culture.
- Suggested the Government provide funding for forums, meetings or conferences to allow providers to exchange their successes and lessons they learnt with regard to existing infrastructure and program delivery.
2. Improving Participation
- The CCG received various presentations from providers on successful projects and from training providers.
Sector Development Initiatives
3. CDEP Resource Units
- TAFE SA and BIITE provided an update of the CDEP Resource Units including: the delivery of Australian Core Skills Framework workshops; popularity of the CDEPRU Moodle site; and delivery of state-based initiatives.
- The CCG congratulated the CDEPRUs on their engagement with providers and achievements and encourages all providers to use CDEPRU initiatives and products.
4. Indigenous Economic Development Opportunities
- The CCG meeting commenced with a one day industry workshop bringing together industry, government and non-government representatives from the mining industry and Carbon Farming sector.
- The workshop focused on economic development opportunities for Indigenous people available under the Government’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), the Carbon Farming Initiative and the Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund.
- The mining industry emphasised their commitment to Indigenous people and communities through Indigenous employment and to making mining communities sustainable through the employment of local people.
- The CCG received a presentation from Engineers Without Borders (EWB) which is an organisation committed to engineering for humanitarian purposes. They provide assistance to communities through capacity building by: transferring skills; facilitating access to opportunities, resources, and networks in the engineering sector; and providing access for young Indigenous people to employment pathways in engineering. For more information about the organisation, see here.
5. Community Partnership Opportunities
- The CCG received a presentation from the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) who explained ORIC’s regulatory functions (e.g. audits and appointment of special administrators) and capacity building functions.
- Providers are strongly encouraged to consider registration of their corporation under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) or Australian Securities Investment Commission Act 2001 (ASIC Act).
- For more information, see the ORIC website.
CDEP Operations
6. Extension of contracts
- For the majority of providers the extension of contracts were finalised by the end of May. The contract extension includes CAP funding and Development and Support funding.
7. National Data Trends
- National data trends overall show that the system is stable. Utilisation is trending well and the numbers are consistent with the seasonal cycles. Employment outcomes are steady. Refer to Attachment A: National Data Trends as of April 2012.
Attachment A
Summary: Point in time key National CDEP Program Performance Trends as of April 2012
- On 30 April 2012 there were 10,896 participants active in the CDEP program
- 36.5% of all participants in the program on 30 April 2012 were Wages Eligible (i.e. 3,972)
- On 30 April 2012, 27.0% of all CDEP participants were active in the Work Readiness Stream and 73.0 % were active in the Community Development Stream
- The average utilisation rate of the CDEP program monitored across the last financial year (2010-11) was 69.6% and at 30 April 2012 the point in time utilisation was 75.2%
- Over the financial year 2011-2012 (up to 30 April 2012) 1,614 CDEP participants had been placed in off-CDEP employment and 2,366 CDEP participants had commenced in training
- On 30 April 2012 there were 1,904 participants in non-accredited training