What Happens Next

The experience of the AEC thus far is that there exists much goodwill among Australian employers to participate in this movement for change to end disparity.

The challenge is how to convert this goodwill into practice. While the employer's commitment is the critical element in the process, the AEC, the Covenant Activation Plan (CAP) and DEEWR, are key supports to achieving success.

After signing a covenant there are three parts to activating the covenant in your organisation:

Reviewing your organisation

There are several things that an employer can do – broadly this includes:

• self assessment of organisational culture and awareness
• ensuring support from all levels of leadership
• looking at current recruitment and retention practices
• setting up arrangements on how to manage the process internally
• identifying key relationships and partnerships.

Exploring DEEWR Funding

Your business may be eligible for assistance to develop an Indigenous Employment Strategy (IES).

If your business is large enough, this funding may enable you to employ a staff member to develop and implement an Indigenous Employment Strategy and/or to employ an Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) for a specific period to assist with the implementation your strategy.

If your business is an SME, this funding may support a specialist consultant who will work with you to develop your IES.

An AEC team member will guide you through this process so that you can access these supports as your organisation seeks to be a part of a generation that is committed to play its part to end Indigenous disparity.

Forecasting Jobs

Planning to meet labour and skill shortages and demand in your business is a key management tool and a well established business practice. In line with this, forecasting the jobs that you anticipate will become available in your organisation needs to be done early in the covenant process.

It is important for a number of reasons. The first of these is that it informs job seekers, training organisations and employment agencies of the skills and training requirements for each position. The second reason is that it informs job seekers about what jobs are to become available, and when and where.

To capture and advertise this forecasting information, the AEC has developed an Indigenous-specific online Jobs Board. The AEC team member will explain the function and benefits of the Jobs Board. As part of the CAO, the AEC team member will capture the relevant forecasting information from the employer and post it on the Jobs Board. Click here to view to Jobs Board.