9 Colliers Avenue (PO Box 8153), ORANGE NSW 2800

Ph: 02 63619511, Fax: 02 63601251
ACN 106 904 545, ABN 39 106 904 545

 

9 Colliers Avenue (PO Box 8153), ORANGE NSW 2800

Ph: 02 63619511, Fax: 02 63601251
ACN 106 904 545, ABN 39 106 904 545

 

Birrang: stepping stone to employment for our people

Information for Participants

The primary focus of Birrang is:
To place participants (job seekers) with "Host Employment Trainers" in a workplace situation
Enable participants to gain experience in the workplace through on the job training
To develop work ethics in a working environment
To increase the job seekers ability to gain full time employment in the future

If you are over 16 years of age and want to enter the workforce through CDEP, we will always try to place you with the most appropriate host employer. If you require additional training through education, we will place you in appropriate recognised and accredited courses that meet your needs.An individual skills assessment will be completed with you to assist us to place you with an employer and we will help source your training requirements.

If you sign on with CDEP, you are NOT denied any of your additional Centrelink benefits that you may be currently receiving. However, Centrelink will take into account your new income - Contact Centrelink regarding your payments. Newstart and other Allowances 132 850 Indigenous Call Centre Phone 136 380For many people, a job is the key to expanding their horizons. Securing a job can improve all aspects of our lives providing us with more choices and opportunities.

Information for Employers

The Primary focus of Birrang:
Assist Host Employment Trainers who will provide CDEP participants with work experience and on-the-job training
Creates opportunities that lead into traineeships and apprenticeships in your industry
Provide participants with the opportunity to develop work ethics in a work environment
To increase the job seekers ability to gain full time employment in the future.

Benefits to Host Employment Trainers are:
The opportunity to join with the Indigenous community to understand and overcome cultural differences
The opportunity to train a person in 'your way' on 'your premises'
Having motivated job seekers who work for you for 15 hours per week
An extra worker at no cost to you
You may gain a very valuable and loyal employee
Increase patronage of your business by Indigenous people
Mentors available to provide support to both you and the participant
Incentives available to you

What the Host Employment Trainers need to do:
Determine your business capacity to provide work experience to participants (job seekers)
Decide on how many participants you are willing to trial
Identify entry level jobs
Identify experienced supervisors for the participants
Contact Birrang Enterprise to discuss this new opportunity further
Be aware that these participants may initially need high levels of support and assistance as they may have no previous work experience or role models to assist them.

What Birrang will do:
Provide you with information on individual skills level and work experience requirements of participants
Negotiate a workplace agreement with you which outlines the roles and responsibilities of both parties
Pay the job seeker (participants) wages for 15 hours per week
Pay workers compensation for the participant for the period stated
Support you and the participant as needed
Assist with the selection and sourcing of trainers for accredited training such as traineeships and apprenticeships
Provide you with information on subsidies for employing indigenous people, part time or full time
Provide you with information on the Department of Education Science and Training (DEST) assistance for Indigenous people.

Employment rates:
The 2001 Australian Bureau of Statistics report notes the national unemployment rate of Indigenous people is approximately 29% compared to non-Indigenous of approximately 16%
If the CDEP scheme is included, the figure for Indigenous people is 40%
It is difficult for Indigenous people to get work experience outside of Indigenous organisations.