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Suwana Combo and Darren Green from the Aboriginal Employment Strategy's Talent Management division. |
Indigenous job market defying the trends: AES
Issue 155 - 16 Jun 2008
NATIONAL
ISSUE 155, June 12, 2008: The Indigenous job market appears to be defying national economic data as demands from corporate Australia for skilled Aboriginal employees has lead to the expansion of Australia's largest specialist Indigenous employment agency.
Growing demand for skilled Aboriginal employees to fill a range of customer service and graduate positions, lead primarily by Australia's 'Big Four' banks, has resulted in the Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES) expanding its corporate recruitment division.
Despite the Federal Budget estimating that employment growth would slow sharply from 2.5 percent this financial year to 1.25 percent in 2008-09, Danny Lester, Chief Executive of the AES is confident that his organisation will continue to grow.
"In 2006-07, the AES was responsible for 6.8 percent of all Indigenous placements nationwide, across only nine offices," Mr Lester said. "This year that figure is expected to reach 10 percent, with 1200 jobs already filled.
"The strength of our partnerships, particularly those with financial institutions and local government, is fuelling much of this growth, and has resulted in the expansion of our own business. This service will provide a home grown solution to Australia's skills shortage."
The AES has recently appointed two new staff to the Talent Management division, which identifies skilled Aboriginal people and places them on a stable career path in corporate organisations.
Ms Suwana Combo, Manager of Talent Management, previously held a position as Employment Coordinator in the Glebe AES office, and excelled in the role. She has been joined by Field Officer Darren Green to drive the new division.
"I am very passionate about helping my people realise their potential," Ms Combo said.
"Employment is rewarding and I see my role as helping people recognise that opportunities are out there."
The Talent Management division is currently undertaking a recruitment drive to fill a number of places in metropolitan and regional NSW, and while Mr Lester acknowledges that challenges lie ahead, he is encouraged by early success.
"It speaks volumes for Aboriginal Australia that successful organisations like ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac want the AES to fill their vacancies," Mr Lester said.
"Since July 2005 we have placed 19 people in skilled positions on an ad hoc basis and we have a retention rate of 85 percent.
"The companies we form partnerships with have broader corporate goals that include reconciliation and addressing Indigenous disadvantage. It is our experience that placing Aboriginal people into long term, sustainable employment is the most effective way to achieve this."
People interested in a career in the financial sector should contact Suwana Combo or Darren Green on 02 8571 0999.
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