T: 1800 441 043 | E: awdc@dtwd.wa.gov.au | W: dtwd.wa.gov.au/awdc

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Building an Aboriginal workforceBenefits of employing Aboriginal peopleMany Aboriginal1 people are highly valued members of the workforce yet they remain a relatively untapped pool of talent for employers.

An organisation with a good representation of Aboriginal employees that offers training and career paths will be an employer of choice for Aboriginal jobseekers. Aboriginal people have strong links to community and provide good insight into business planning or marketing opportunities, especially for local or regional communities.

The Aboriginal Workforce Development Centre (AWDC) has established networks within Aboriginal communities that it can use to promote job opportunities. A growing number of Aboriginal jobseekers have registered with the AWDC. The AWDC can link employers with these individual jobseekers.

How you can attract and recruit Aboriginal staff• Develop relationships with local Aboriginal community organisations and others

specialising in Aboriginal employment.• Advertise vacancies through Aboriginal media (Koori Mail and Noongar Radio),

local communities and Aboriginal recruitment companies.• Promote employment opportunities at Aboriginal career expos such as the

AWDC’s annual Deadly Jobs Expo.• Make it clear in all your job advertisements that you welcome applications from

Aboriginal people and provide reasonable time before applications close to allownews of your vacancy to spread by ‘word of mouth’.

• Make interviews as comfortable as possible. For example, consider allowingapplicants time to read the questions before the interview and include Aboriginalpeople on the interview panel.

• Consider less conventional interview methods such as practical assessments orobserving applicants through group activities.

1 The term ‘Aboriginal’ also covers Torres Strait Islander Australians.

T: 1800 441 043 | E: awdc@dtwd.wa.gov.au | W: dtwd.wa.gov.au/awdc

How you can retain Aboriginal staff• Provide inductions that make new staff feel welcome and valued. Build in

a follow‑up at the six‑week or three‑month mark to find out how they are settling in.

• Check out the AWDC’s How well do you understand the Aboriginal people you employ? publication which contains practical advice on recruiting and retaining Aboriginal employees. The AWDC also holds regular workshops for employers – see the Events page on our website at dtwd.wa.gov.au/awdc for details.

• Consider using a mentor or a workplace buddy to help support and retain Aboriginal staff.

• Involve your staff in community activities such as NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week. Invite a guest speaker or performer from a local Aboriginal community.

• Include significant Aboriginal cultural dates in your organisation’s calendar of events.

• Meet with Aboriginal staff from time to time to find out why they like working for your company and whether there is anything that can be improved. Feedback could also be sought during exit interviews.

• Invite Aboriginal employees across a range of positions to form an Aboriginal networking or reference group to provide mutual support and offer workplace feedback to management.

• Provide cross‑cultural awareness training for staff to cultivate a climate of understanding and acceptance in the workplace.

• Encourage Aboriginal employees to take advantage of any training and career development opportunities you have on offer.

• Develop a Reconciliation Action Plan to support your commitment to reconciliation, building strong relationships and encouraging respect. Find out more at reconciliation.org.au.

T: 1800 441 043 | E: awdc@dtwd.wa.gov.au | W: dtwd.wa.gov.au/awdc

If you would like to know more, contact the Perth AWDC at:• Level 7, GPO Building, 3 Forrest Place, Perth.

T: (08) 9224 6535 or freecall 1800 441 043E: awdc@dtwd.wa.gov.auW: dtwd.wa.gov.au/awdc

AWDC

January 2017

T: 1800 441 043 | E: awdc@dtwd.wa.gov.au | W: dtwd.wa.gov.au/awdc

Or one of our regional AWDCs in:

Broome• Shop 6, 20 Dampier Terrace, Broome WA 6725

T: (08) 9192 6763E: broome.awdc@dtwd.wa.gov.au

Bunbury• Podium Level, Bunbury Tower, 61 Victoria Street, Bunbury WA 6230

T: (08) 9722 9550E: bunbury.awdc@dtwd.wa.gov.au

Geraldton• Margaret House, Bill Sewell Complex, Chapman Road, Geraldton WA 6530

T: (08) 9964 6345E: geraldton.awdc@dtwd.wa.gov.au

Kalgoorlie• Unit 1/37 Brookman Street, Kalgoorlie, WA 6430

T: (08) 9093 8650E: kalgoorlie.awdc@dtwd.wa.gov.au

Visit the Deadly Jobs Facebook page for the latest jobs and upcoming events.