Objective of the project
The Key Objective of this project is to develop a framework for the provision of mentor training and support for supervisors that includes cultural awareness support for indigenous employment entrants to increase workforce participation, retention, progression and access to training and development opportunities.
This will be achieved through the development of resources and activities to assist in the implementation of training for supervisors to provide mentoring or coaching. The resources will be developed to address the difficulties indigenous workers encounter in dealing with the culture of the workplace.
How is this project different
This project differs from other indigenous cultural awareness programs as the focus will be on enabling workplace supervisors and mentors of indigenous employment entrants to work with them to operate effectively in the workplace and not based on defining indigenous culture. It will focus on the ‘workplace culture’ of the resources and infrastructure industry sectors.
Initial consultations in WA and QLD looked at
- The differences between mentor, supervisor and employee roles and responsibilities
- The priorities of workplace supervisors or mentors when supporting an Indigenous trainee or employee
- Culturally specific considerations we should address when developing resources for Indigenous trainees or employees being mentored
- The key issues encountered by Indigenous trainees or employees in adapting to a ‘workplace culture’
- Sharing stories of lessons learned to determine requirements for success
Project Deliverables
- Develop a framework for the provision of mentor training and support for supervisors including cultural awareness support for Indigenous employment entrants to increase workforce participation, retention, progression and access to training and development opportunities
- Develop mentoring/coaching units of competency
- Contextualise/customise relevant existing units of competency
- Develop a resource package comprising trainer and learner guides and assessment tools
Expected Outcomes
- Increased availability of structured workplace mentoring and support for indigenous employees
- Increase in the provision of effective mentoring support in the workplace
- Reduction in turnover in indigenous workforce
- Increase in the progression of indigenous employees in the workplace
- Increase in industry uptake of indigenous employees
- Integration of mentoring and supervision programs by industry as an element of indigenous employment retention strategies
- Increased awareness in the workplace of the transition requirements of Indigenous people and a structured response strategy to address these
Innovative Approach
This project will deliver an innovative approach to achieving improved VET outcomes for Indigenous Australians in a number to ways.
Innovative Approach Overview (click link to view)
Media Coverage - October 2010
The Mining Chronicle | Vol 15, NO. 9 News | By Kami Ramini
New style of training set to encourage mentoring
Download article
Feedback should be directed to Paul Humphreys E: phumphreys@skillsdmc.com.au