Indigenous participation in the NSW Forest and Forest Products Industry
Working together to encourage indigenous participation in the Forest and Forest Products Industry in NSW.
ForestWorks has a proud history of executing projects that materially contribute to broader skill development initiatives. One such example is the recent approved project 'Working together to encourage indigenous participation in the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry in NSW'.
This project is funded under the Skills Enhancement Program of Department of Education and Training (DET) and has the coverage of regional-specific needs targeting communities and enterprises based in mid north coast of NSW. The 'Working together to encourage indigenous participation in the Forest and Forest Products Industry in NSW' project will seek to complement existing strategies such as the DET NSW – The Way Ahead for Aboriginal People program and the Commonwealth Indigenous Employment Program.
Purpose of the Project
The project seeks to address the low participation rates of two priority target groups; Indigenous Australians and women in the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry. The project aims to produce collaborative partnerships with a range of enterprises and agencies in the mid north coast and far north coast of New South Wales and develop a model to attract Indigenous Australians from local communities into employment in our industry.
In relation to increasing the participation of women, the project will improve knowledge and understanding among women of work opportunities and skills direction in the industry. It will also help establish support networks and contacts for both existing workers and those interested in the our industry as well as developing case studies of women in regional areas and promotional materials to promote work for this target group within the industry.
Piloting of model
Local employers will be targeted to take part in the project. Up to 10 participants and a minimum of four participants (subject to regional employment opportunities available at the time of pilot) will be targeted to trial the models. RTOs will be engaged as required. A Project Advisory Committee (PAC) with key stakeholders comprising representatives from employers, regional communities, training providers and industry organisations to assist with the project and validation of outcomes is underway.
