May 7, 2008

Indigenous staff on the rise at UnitingCare NSW.ACT

UnitingCare NSW.ACT has committed to taking on more than 140 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff over the next 12 months as part of its recently-developed Indigenous Employment Strategy.

This figure represents approximately 2 per cent of the total workforce of UnitingCare NSW.ACT and its Service Groups UnitingCare Ageing, UnitingCare Children’s Services and UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families Services.

“UnitingCare NSW.ACT is a large employer with more that 6,500 staff and we should be making sure that we are creating opportunities for more Indigenous people to join us,” said the Rev. Harry Herbert, Executive Director of UnitingCare NSW.ACT.

Launched today at the Riverside Theatres in Parramatta Sydney, the Strategy has been developed in partnership with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

“UnitingCare NSW.ACT already employs a large number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and this Strategy marks the beginning of working to provide more meaningful employment opportunities and career development for existing as well as new staff,” said Mr Herbert.

The specific aims of the Strategy are to recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, be the employer of choice in the community services sector and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to become 2 per cent of the total workforce of UnitingCare NSW.ACT.

This will be achieved in a range of approaches including the use of culturally appropriate recruitment processes, job descriptions and selection procedures and providing supportive and sensitive work environments that respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. UnitingCare NSW.ACT has also committed to providing support mechanisms such as external and internal mentoring, peer support networks and enabling staff to meet cultural obligations such as attending significant community events and gatherings.

A summary document of the UnitingCare NSW.ACT Indigenous Employment Strategy is available from the UnitingCare website — click here.