A multi-faceted approach is required to develop sustainable work opportunities for Indigenous Territorians.
This will be the thrust of Leon Morris’ presentation Indigenous employment: A vision for the future at Charles Darwin University’s upcoming Symposium.
As Director of Indigenous Economic Development in the NT Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development, Mr Morris said he believed that the challenge of developing sustainable employment opportunities for Indigenous Territorians involved a multi-step process.
“Firstly, pathways need to be developed to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by thriving economies in urban areas and skill shortages in specific industry sectors in the regions,” Mr Morris said.
“Secondly, employment outcomes from remote service and infrastructure delivery must be maximised. Thirdly, small business opportunities need to be developed to service and supply local and regional markets.
“And fourthly, new and innovative approaches to Indigenous economic activity need to be fostered, particularly where there is high motivation to engage and/or an Indigenous competitive advantage based on land and intellectual property.”
Mr Morris’ presentation will form part of the free public forum titled A Skilled Workforce for Regional and Remote Australia: Keeping, Attracting, Training. The forum is designed to generate discussion and debate about the ideas of workforce development, with a keen eye on various existing and future alignments of people, skills, work, structures and place.
The Symposium will run from 8.30am to 5pm on Friday, 28 September at CDU’s Alice Springs campus.
For more information go to www.cdu.edu.au/cdss.