The 2024 National First Nations Employment & Training Conference will be held at the Rex Hotel in Canberra ACT on September 5-6, 2024. This conference is a gathering of Indigenous employment and training professionals from across Australia, providing an opportunity for participants to learn about best practices, share experiences, and network with other professionals in training and employment field. The conference focuses on developing strategies to improve employment outcomes for First Nations Australians and to address the systemic barriers that have historically prevented Indigenous people from accessing quality training and job opportunities.

The conference features keynote speakers and prominent Indigenous leaders who have achieved success despite facing significant barriers. Panel discussions bring together experts from different sectors to discuss specific topics related to Indigenous employment and training. Workshops allow participants to learn practical skills and strategies that they can take back to their own organizations.

This two-day conference will bring together organisations, employers and government agencies to discuss and paint a bigger picture of Indigenous employment.  Over the years, Indigenous employment has changed considerably. Even though Indigenous unemployment rate is high and still unacceptable, reality shows us that the overall picture is getting brighter by the day.  The conference will have an employment trade show as part of the proceedings. This will give participants the chance to look at further opportunities to develop a career path for employers. The conference will have the chance to meet with prospective employment agencies with a view to enhancing partnerships. Similarly, the event will gather employers and businesses who are committed to achieving employment parity to increase Indigenous employment capability and presents an excellent platform for Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander and mainstream businesses to meet, learn and forge new partnerships. No matter which stage is your organisation in your Indigenous employment journey, many employers aspire to a more systemic and sustainable approach by sharing experiences and learnings and exploring barriers and opportunities together towards a culturally safe and inclusive workplaces and leading in Indigenous workforce.

Furthermore, the conference is designed as a collaborative process structured to facilitate an exchange of ideas and information so that joint solutions could be developed. This joint leadership approach served to ensure that our Aboriginal & Torres Straits Islander cultural heritage are acknowledged and celebrated. The conference will enable employer capability by connecting employers, government, Indigenous employment services, and Indigenous Australians on building an Indigenous talent pipeline and aids in building and implementing an Indigenous Employment Strategy.

In the past, Aboriginal & Torres Straits Islander peoples’ main opportunity to securing long term employment was either by government or within their own community organisations. However, employment within the community were limited at best and in many cases, were only short term and dependent on funding. Government in the past had develop many limited employment programs between six weeks, six months and in some cases up to twelve months with all the best intentions. Things like the RED Scheme, CDEP, just to name a few but as we all know, after people developing work skills and a culture of being employed found themselves with a whole range of new meaningful skills and nowhere to use these new-found skills. Thus, participants become frustrated and disheartened. Most of these programs in the past did have short-term benefits. Today employment is seen as more than just a job. It’s a pathway to economic empowerment for the individual; and therefore, leads to empowerment of our communities which in turn, feeds Indigenous self-determination together with a healthier mind, body and soul.

The conference is designed to equip and empowers delegates and drives Aboriginal & Torres Straits Islanders forward as people.  The conference will also take an in-depth look at present day government policies and how they may affect our future.  Today we have the largest number of representatives ever elected.  This has in some way given Indigenous people a voice to the highest level in local, Territory, State and federal governments.

The Australian Government has set three clear priorities for its Indigenous Advancement strategy to make sure efforts are effectively targeted:

EDUCATION: The positive impact that education has on the future success of individuals, families and communities is clear. Children who go to school have better life outcomes.

EMPLOYMENT: Economic development improve the lives of families and communities. The right conditions and incentives need to be in place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate in the economy and broader society.

SOCIAL PARTICIPATION: Growing up in a healthy and safe home and community is essential for First Nations individuals and families to thrive and reach their full potential. 

Even though we still have a long way to go, the opportunities to develop career pathway is now possible. Aboriginal medical services have grown to such a size where you no longer could be just an Indigenous health worker but indeed, progress to nursing or even to become a specialised health professional e.g. doctors, surgeon, physiotherapist, etc. Education is and remains to be the catalysts for employment. From Mr. Charles Perkins becoming the first Indigenous person to graduate from a university to the Closing the Gap report which highlighted the numbers of increasing Indigenous university graduates indicates that Indigenous communities are moving forward in such a way that our community groups, educational organisation and government are all working together to create the opportunities for Indigenous advancements through a holistic approach whether it was designed that way or not.

Indigenous enterprises is key to increasing employment and strengthening the Indigenous economy. However, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses fail within their first year in practice. Establishing collaborative partnerships between Indigenous businesses, communities, government bodies and mainstream organisations is beneficial for all parties involved. And most importantly, it helps Indigenous communities and corporations to regain the control of their economy and wealth. To succeed in the sustained employment of Indigenous workforces, organisations must further their communication and collaboration, and develop their processes to meet changing policies.  

One of the key themes of the conference is the importance of cultural safety in the workplace. Many Indigenous people have experienced discrimination and racism in their previous workplaces, which has led to high rates of turnover and disengagement. Creating culturally safe workplaces is essential for Indigenous employees to feel valued, respected, and supported in their roles. The conference provides opportunities for participants to learn about different approaches to creating culturally safe workplaces and to share their own experiences and best practices. Another important theme of the conference is the need to address the skills gap that exists for many Indigenous job seekers. Indigenous Australians have lower levels of educational attainment and face significant barriers to accessing quality training opportunities. The conference provides a forum for participants to share their experiences and strategies for addressing the skills gap, including through partnerships with employers, vocational education providers, and community organizations.

Similarly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve lower educational outcomes than their non-Indigenous peers. Government and communities must work together in getting children to school, improving their results and supporting families to give their children the best start in life will help to close the educational gap as good education helps keep culture strong and lets future generations share stories about their community, culture and kinship. 

Therefore, to further close the gap on Indigenous employment, the conference themes include the following:

I. Indigenous Education

• Improve students' attendance rate through effective engagement

• Increase academic outcomes by focusing on connection to cultural identity in classrooms 

• Develop culturally safe and responsive teaching methods for First Nations children 

• Develop sustainable pathways into higher education and employment

II. Indigenous Employment

• Achieve consistent opportunities and develop processes to meet changing policies

• Improve and strengthen employees’ transitions into meaningful employment

• Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people into employment

• Create sustainable pathways into employment

• Develop an inclusive work environment that celebrates Indigenous culture

• Effectively attract, upskill and retain Indigenous employees

• Develop employment strategies that focus of creating a healthy work environment

• Build trusting and collaborative partnership with communities, families and Elders 

III. Indigenous Economic Development

• Strengthen Indigenous enterprises through partnerships and collaborations

• Build a useful business network through collaboration to deliver mutually beneficial goals

• Effectively maintain partnerships for sustainable business outcomes

• Build capability and capacity for Indigenous business owners

• Drive financial independence and wealth creation opportunities for communities

• Develop strategies for industry and government to engage with Indigenous communities to build stronger business networks

• Advance business opportunities in rural and regional location

The conference will highlight how First Nations and mainstream businesses are working together with government and Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander peoples to find innovative ways to address the above topics. The conference will include keynote speakers, practical workshops, exhibitions/expo and concurrent sessions as well as yarning circles and interactive panel discussions. The conference is not politically based, rather should be seen as an opportunity to access information that is not readily available. 

The 2024 National First Nations Employment & Training Conference aims to give a voice to Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander peoples to share their concerns, their story and experiences whilst seeking or maintaining employment. This conference presents a chance for Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander workers to engage with industry leaders and peers, to learn cutting edge innovations and techniques as well as hear firsthand experiences from Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander peoples.  The conference is part of a great new initiative in which the conference will be only one of three First Nations conferences linked together to maximise networking and growing First Nations economic and business opportunities.

The conference objectives are designed to empower and stimulate discussion in a positive manner that can and may be used back in our work environments to further develop strength, unity and education. Moreover, one of the most powerful objectives that Indigenous peoples have is the strength to overcome adversity through the power of sharing knowledge and therefore the conference will attempt to foster all of the issues set out in this conference. The conference believes that the participation of First Peoples in the consultation, planning, formulation of policies and programs is fundamentally important to achieve our desired goal for Indigenous economic development. Moreover, the conference also aims to:

• Provide an open and frank forum for discussion:

• To promote Aboriginal self determination and self management

• To promote further First Nations economic, social and cultural development

• To highlight that First Nations Peoples are intricate part of the Australian fabric

• To promote leadership in Indigenous communities

• To highlight First Nations Peoples are succeeding

• To promote First Nations Peoples will remain a part of Australian society well past 2020

• Capture, disseminate educational knowledge and consolidate the latest developments

• Strengthen the existing networks of practitioners, policymakers, planners

• Indigenous Men & Women

• Indigenous Business Operators

• Aboriginal Community Groups

• Community Elders/Leaders

• Employment Agencies and RTOs 

• Researchers

• Policy makers

• Community representatives

• Government – Local, State/Territory and Commonwealth

• Students & Jobseekers

• Community cooperatives

• CEOs, Executive Management, Program Managers

• Government and Non-Government Organisation Representatives

• Economists, Researchers, Scientists

• Chairs, Principals and Board Members

• Department Heads: Indigenous Education, Economic Development, Indigenous Employment

• Aboriginal Corporations

• Aboriginal Councils and Shires Not-for-Profits

• Mainstream Corporations

• Public & Private Schools

• Higher Education

We wish to invite Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment agencies and job services organisation from Australia and throughout to attend the conference to share and gather information. We also extend an invitation to participants to join us at the conference dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. To ensure that delegates attend and participate, it is important to note that to show accountability of delegates in meeting their obligation, each delegate will receive a Certificate of Attendance only when they attend 85% of all the conference sessions. In addition, delegates will receive a compilation of all papers & presentations presented at the conference.

• Who:     First Nations Peoples, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Businesses, Government Agencies & Others

• When:   September 5-6, 2024

• Where:  Rex Hotel, Canberra ACT

• Time:     9.00am – 5.00pm

Come and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, strengths, successes and empowerment. So that we may share each other’s stories and ideas in an atmosphere that empowers and strengthens all delegates.