Northern Territory Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Contents
Contents ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3
Initiatives at a glance .................................................................................................................. 4
Grow our own workforce and capability .................................................................................. 4
Support sector specific workforce strategies ........................................................................... 4
Increase responsiveness in the training system ...................................................................... 4
Increase Indigenous workforce participation ........................................................................... 5
Support business and industry to improve productivity............................................................ 5
Building on success.................................................................................................................... 6
Jobs NT 2010-2012 delivered ................................................................................................. 6
Northern Territory labour market ................................................................................................ 7
Current performance ............................................................................................................... 7
Labour force outlook ............................................................................................................... 8
Strategy at a glance ................................................................................................................... 9
Vision ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Priorities.................................................................................................................................. 9
Measuring success ................................................................................................................. 9
Priority: Grow our own workforce and capability ....................................................................... 10
Objective: Continued partnership by government, business and industry to grow our own
workforce and capability through training investment. ........................................................... 10
Priority strategies and actions ........................................................................................... 10
Continuing strategies and actions...................................................................................... 10
Measuring Success .............................................................................................................. 11
Priority: Support sector specific workforce strategies ................................................................ 12
Objective: Support sector specific workforce development strategies to identify and address
business, industry and regional workforce needs. ................................................................. 12
Priority strategies and actions ............................................................................................... 12
Continuing strategies and actions ......................................................................................... 12
Measuring Success .............................................................................................................. 13
Priority: Increase responsiveness in the training system........................................................... 14
Objective: Increase the responsiveness of the education and training system to deliver a
productive and highly skilled workforce that enables all working age Territorians to participate
in the labour market. ............................................................................................................. 14
Priority strategies and actions ............................................................................................... 14
Continuing strategies and actions ......................................................................................... 14
Measuring Success .............................................................................................................. 15
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Priority: Increase Indigenous workforce participation ................................................................ 16
Objective: Increase Indigenous participation in the workforce and support business and
industry to continue to develop sustainable employment opportunities for Indigenous
Territorians. .......................................................................................................................... 16
Priority strategies and actions ............................................................................................... 16
Continuing strategies and actions ......................................................................................... 16
Measuring Success .............................................................................................................. 16
Priority: Support business and industry to improve productivity ................................................ 18
Objectives: Support SMEs to optimise business practices and increase employment
opportunities for Territorians and identify and support the development of new industries,
opportunities and investment. ............................................................................................... 18
Priority strategies and actions ............................................................................................... 18
Continuing strategies and actions: ........................................................................................ 18
Measuring success ............................................................................................................... 19
Implementation and review ....................................................................................................... 20
Appendix A: Achievements under Jobs NT and Jobs Plan ....................................................... 21
Sector specific strategies ...................................................................................................... 21
Vocational Education and Training........................................................................................ 21
Indigenous employment and training .................................................................................... 21
Support for business ............................................................................................................. 22
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Introduction
The Northern Territory is entering the most significant period of economic growth in its history.
The Employment Strategy 2012-2015 is the Territory Government’s most ambitious employment
strategy yet.
With the Northern Territory economy set to boom, Employment Strategy 2012-2015 sets a new
target of 15 000 apprentice/trainee commencements over five years. This is a 20% increase on
the previous two targets of 10 000 over four years.
Employment Strategy 2012-2015 also establishes the Northern Territory Schools Industry
Academy. This will strengthen the partnership with industry to make students more job ready
than ever, and increase access to VET pathways in schools across the Territory.
Government is set to help business and workers through a range of new initiatives, bold targets
and the continued delivery of its successful programs.
Building a skilled and dynamic workforce to meet the needs of this growth will require
government, industry, the community, unions, enterprises and individuals to work together.
The strategy is based on wide-ranging discussions, consultation and research. In early 2012,
the Department of Business released a discussion paper to assist with developing the new
employment strategy. Consultation took place with business, employers, industry associations,
peak bodies, unions, schools, registered training providers, training advisory councils,
Australian and local government agencies and individuals.
More than 180 people attended forums throughout the Northern Territory in 2012 and more than
47 formal written responses were received. The research, on which the discussion paper was
based, together with feedback from the consultation phase, has informed the development of
this strategy.
Employment Strategy 2012-2015 builds on the efforts of the previous employment strategies
Jobs Plan 1, 2, and 3 and Jobs NT. It supports Territorians and Territory business to take
advantage of the opportunities of this exciting phase of growth that the Northern Territory is
embarking on.
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Initiatives at a glance
Employment Strategy 2012-2015 builds on previous employment strategies with a range of new
initiatives under priority themes:
Grow our own workforce and capability
15 000 new apprentices and trainees
A new target of 15 000 apprentice and trainee commencements over five years.
National Territory Schools Industry Academy
Virtual Academy in partnership with schools and business to strengthen VET in schools
including increasing online VET program delivery to improve VET pathways, particularly across
regional and remote areas.
Darwin Middle Years Training Centre
Established at Nightcliff Middle School and accessible to students across the Darwin region
allowing young people to ‘touch and test’ future careers, with an initial focus on traditional trades
and community services.
More support for VET students
Providing a focus on students taking up VET in Schools studies in traditional trades and
delivering strengthened job ready skills and workplace literacy and numeracy to link VET
students to school-based apprenticeships and industry.
Boost to accommodation subsidy
To support apprentices and trainees travelling for training. The accommodation subsidy will be
increased by 60%.
SkillsBoost
Support for Territorians to gain VET qualifications.
Supporting women in employment
A new four-year agreement between the Territory Government and the Northern Territory
Working Womens’ Centre helping women maintain employment.
Support sector specific workforce strategies
Your Workforce – a guide for employers
An online tool to assist small business with workforce planning. It provides information and
resources on modern employment and workplace practices.
Business Growth - Employment Solutions
Grants up to $5000 for businesses to access specialist workforce advice on matters such as
staff development, training, retention, attraction and legislative and regulatory obligations.
Priority sector workforce plans
Target priority areas are community services, tourism and the VET workforce. Work with these
industry sectors to develop and implement evidence-based workforce development strategies.
Increase responsiveness in the training system
MySkills website
Will provide information for individuals and businesses on training availability and the
performance of training providers.
VET workforce
A VET workforce strategy to increase the quality of VET provision and to support the
development needs of the VET workforce.
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Skills recognition
To assist experienced yet unqualified workers in skill shortage occupations to gain a formal
qualification by having their existing skills recognised. To commence in 2013.
Increase Indigenous workforce participation
Indigenous Workforce Participation Initiatives Program
Business and industry will be supported to undertake workforce planning and implement
initiatives that increase sustainable Indigenous employment.
Regional and Remote Workforce Connect
Connect Indigenous Territory workers in remote communities to jobs created through major new
resource and infrastructure projects.
Jobs Package – Local Jobs for Local People
Traineeships leading to sustainable jobs for Indigenous Territorians living in Major Remote
Towns. This includes skills and on-the-job training, mentoring as well as support to employers.
Support business and industry to improve productivity
Small business support
Free access to a specialist legal or accounting practitioner for two hours to increase business
understanding in these areas.
Business Growth - Technology Solutions
Grants up to $5000 to support eBusiness solutions for Territory businesses to help reduce costs
and improve market opportunities.
Jobs portal
A new website to bring together organisations recruiting staff and individuals looking for work in
the Northern Territory.
Industry Build Skills Program
Assist industry to identify their skills needs and give Territorians working in those industries the
opportunity to gain recognised skills.
Migration policy and Regional Migration Agreements
Contribute to the development of migration policy to support businesses to attract workers when
local and Australian workers cannot be found, including developing new agreements outside
standard migration programs.
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Building on success
The Territory Government has delivered four successive employment strategies:
Jobs NT 2010-12 and Jobs Plan 1, 2 and 3 from 2003.
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Key achievements under these strategies include delivering against two targets of 10
000 trainee and apprentice commencements, with more than 22 500 commencements
since 2003.
Over the same period, more than 27 000 new jobs were created across the Territory.
11 500 apprentices and trainees were supported by the Workwear / Workgear bonus.
More than 3000 employer incentives were allocated to support the uptake in
apprenticeships and traineeships.
Jobs NT 2010-2012 delivered
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More than 24 000 Territorians participated in VET training each year.
The goal of 3000 commencements for Indigenous workers was exceeded, with 3947
commencements as at June 2011. Of these, 44% were Indigenous apprentices.
42% of students participating in VET in Schools completed a certificate and 1041 school
students completed a VET in Schools qualification in 2011.
20-30% increase in achievement of higher level VET qualifications (Certificate IV and
above) between 2010 and 2011.
The Indigenous Training for Employment Program joint initiative with the Australian
Government has stimulated more than 1700 separate opportunities for Indigenous
Territorians to benefit from a combination of jobs training or career enhancement
experience.
Fourteen new Trade Training Centres for remote students under a partnership between
the Northern Territory and Australian governments.
Higher labour force participation rates for the NT compared to national participation
rates.
Highest employment participation rate by women in the nation at 69.8%, compared with
the Australian participation rate of 59.2% (as at May 2012).
More than 160 Territory businesses have been assisted through Business Growth
programs.
More than 1900 Territorians participated in Business Upskills Programs across the
Territory.
More than 5700 Territorians participated in October Business Month (OBM) activities in
2011.
88.8% satisfaction rate with the overall quality of training recorded by Northern Territory
VET graduates.1
85.8% satisfaction rate recorded by employers satisfied with VET training as a way of
meeting their skill needs where vocational qualifications were a job requirement.2
1 National Centre for Vocational Education Research 2011
2 National Centre for Vocational Education Research 2011
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Northern Territory labour market
Compared with other Australian jurisdictions, the Northern Territory labour market is buoyant. It
has a relatively young and skilled workforce, high participation and low unemployment.
The distribution of jobs is highly skewed towards the major population centres and the issues
facing urban and remote workforces are markedly different. Employment is concentrated in a
few industries, particularly in public administration, safety, construction, health care and social
support.
Major projects attract considerable investment to the Northern Territory and generate significant
employment opportunities across industries and the skills spectrum. These projects tend to
have short lead times and generate high demand for skilled labour.
The demand for workers in the Territory can be competitive as businesses respond to external
conditions and strive to meet their workforce needs. The US$34 billion Ichthys liquefied natural
gas project is expected to provide a significant boost to the Territory economy and generate an
unprecedented demand for skilled workers.
Growth factors have contributed to widespread labour and skills shortages. This can be seen in
the steady increase in demand for workers including seasonal and short-term workers, from
outside the Northern Territory.
The Territory has a larger and under-utilised Indigenous working age population when
compared with other jurisdictions. The tendency for jobs to be close to major centres makes it
difficult for Indigenous Territorians living in remote areas. Differences between employment
outcomes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Territorians are also significant, especially in
remote areas, where little or no private employment exists. Approximately 25% of the Territory’s
resident population lives outside major regional centres. Of this, about 80% are Indigenous.
Current performance
In the five years to 2010-11, the Northern Territory economy grew by an average of 4% each
year.3 Over the same period, the Northern Territory’s workforce has grown by almost 22 000
people or an average of 4% each year.4 Nationally, employment grew by an average of 2.4%
over the same period.5
Employment growth in the Northern Territory was particularly strong in the following industries:
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construction
mining
education and training.6
The drivers behind this increase in employment were a combination of strong population growth
(averaging 2% each year7) and the increasing demand for workers associated with a number of
major projects.
May 2012 statistics indicate that the Northern Territory labour market is performing well. The
Northern Territory’s unemployment rate is 4% and the participation rate (the proportion of
Territorians aged 15 years and over either employed or looking for work) is 74.1%, the highest
rate of all jurisdictions.6
3 ABS Cat No 5220.0
4 ABS Cat No 6202.0
5 ABS Cat No 6202.0
6 ABS Cat No 6291.0.55.003
7 ABS Cat No 3101.06
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Labour force outlook
Solid employment growth is expected to continue in the Northern Territory over the five years to
2017.
Deloitte Access Economics forecasts an additional 16 000 people employed in the Northern
Territory between 2012 and 2017, equating to an average annual increase of 2.5%.8
The Centre of Policy Studies at Monash University forecasts employment in the Northern
Territory will increase by almost 20 000 jobs or an average of 2.6% in each of the five years to
2016–17. Over the same period, national employment is forecast to grow by 1.4%.9
Over the five years to 2016–17, the major industry drivers of growth in the Northern Territory are
expected to be:
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health
construction
education and training.10
Growth is forecast to be strongest in the following occupations:
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professionals such as registered nurses, teachers and community services professionals
clerical and administrative workers such as contract, project and program administrators
and general clerks
technicians and trades workers such as electricians, carpenters, joiners, chefs, plumbers
and mechanics.11
Major projects, such as the Ichthys project, are expected to place high demands on the
construction and connected industries. Pit Crew Management Consulting Services forecast that
construction jobs in the Northern Territory will peak in mid-2013, with an increase of 5500 jobs.12
8 Deloitte Access Economics Employment Forecasts, December quarter 2011
9 Centre of Policy Studies (Monash University) Monash Employment Forecasts, 2011
10 Centre of Policy Studies (Monash University) Monash Employment Forecasts, 2011
11Centre of Policy Studies (Monash University) Monash Employment Forecasts, 2011
12 Report commissioned by Department of Business from Pit Crew Management Consulting Services, 2011
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Strategy at a glance
Vision
A skilled, flexible and dynamic workforce that meets the needs of a growing economy.
Priorities
To achieve a skilled and flexible workforce, the following priorities have been identified:
1.
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4.
5.
Grow our own workforce and capability.
Support sector specific workforce strategies.
Increase responsiveness in the training system.
Increase Indigenous workforce participation.
Support business and industry to improve productivity.
Measuring success
The success of the employment strategy will be measured by:
1.
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5.
Achieving 15 000 apprentice and trainee commencements over five years.
Growing the skill level of the Territory workforce.
Maintaining higher than national labour force participation rates.
Increasing Indigenous participation in the labour force.
Growing the size of the Territory workforce.
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Priority: Grow our own workforce and capability
Objective: Continued partnership by government, business and
industry to grow our own workforce and capability through training
investment.
Training is a hallmark of the Territory Government, and Employment Strategy 2012-2015
continues a legacy of investing in growing our own skilled workforce.
Under successive jobs plans we have overseen more than 22 500 apprenticeship and
traineeship commencements, far exceeding our ambitious targets.
With major projects bringing huge opportunities, it is vital that Territorians are supported to
develop the appropriate skills to contribute to, and benefit from, this fast growing economy.
Employment Strategy 2012-2015 connects young Territorians with skilled career opportunities
earlier, bringing industry directly into schools and strengthening school-based training across
traditional trades, to make students more job-ready than ever before.
Priority strategies and actions
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Meet new target of 15 000 new apprentice and trainee commencements over five years
to 2017.
Increase support to trainees and apprentices travelling for study with a 60% boost to
accommodation subsidies.
Introduce the SkillsBoost package to:
o support skilling of individual working age Territorians through a government
subsidised training place for their first Certificate III qualification commencing
2013
o introduce loans for the VET sector in 2014 to improve access to Diploma and
Advanced Diploma level qualifications to deepen the skills of the Northern
Territory workforce
o support an additional 2585 Northern Territory VET students to complete their
qualifications, including those from disadvantaged groups.
Establish new Northern Territory Schools Industry VET Academy in partnership with
industry to strengthen VET in Schools including increasing online VET program delivery
to improve VET pathways, particularly across regional and remote areas.
Establish Darwin Middle Years Training at Nightcliff Middle School for students across
the Darwin region allowing young people to ‘touch and test’ future careers, with an initial
focus on traditional trades and community services.
Providing a focus on students taking up VET in Schools studies in traditional trades and
skill shortage areas delivering strengthened focus on job ready skills and workplace
literacy and numeracy and linking VET students to school-based apprenticeships and
industry.
Support disadvantaged Territorians, including single and teenage parents, to improve
their education and training outcomes and employment and earning prospects.
Continuing strategies and actions
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Workwear / Workgear bonus program, providing grants for start-up costs to new
apprentices and trainees.
Assist employers to take on an apprentice or trainee through employer incentives.
Centres of Excellence in high schools to provide sector specific pathway opportunities to
post school training, including higher education.
Support the Northern Australian Oil and Gas Institute to help train Territorians to become
highly skilled workers and play an important part in securing Darwin as the oil and gas
capital of Northern Australia.
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
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Encourage private sector investment that contributes to skilling Territorians such as:
o Larrakia Development Corporation, INPEX and Total and the development of the
Larrakia Trade Training Centre
o Toga Group partnership with Charles Darwin University to develop the CDU
business school at Darwin Waterfront.
Measuring success
Achieving 15 000 apprentice and trainee commencements over five years.
R&R Avionics directors Rick Jones and Rachel Ruta were initially unsure about how
to take on apprentices, but found the Australian Apprenticeship Centre NT (AANT)
was there to explain the process and help with the paperwork.
‘The whole process was very easy, AANT explained it all very well, and we basically
didn’t do anything except make a phone call. AANT did everything else.’
R&R Avionics received a $4000 incentive from the Northern Territory Government
for each of its new apprentices because avionics is on the NT Occupational
Shortage List. Rachel said the financial assistance has been very helpful. It has
been used to purchase some tools and uniforms, pay for the TAFE fees and give the
apprentice living away from home allowance whilst studying in Adelaide.
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Priority: Support sector specific workforce strategies
Objective: Support sector specific workforce development strategies
to identify and address business, industry and regional workforce
needs.
The increased demand for labour in the next five years will be felt across the Territory. Labour
shortages can create impediments to business operations and impact on productivity and
profitability.
The process for addressing labour supply and demand issues is known as workforce planning.
This helps employers identify and address workforce supply and demand issues and better plan
for sustained business success and growth through strategies to attract, develop and retain
employees.
Workforce planning leads to employers having the right people with the right skills at the right
time.
Priority strategies and actions
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Enhance workforce planning across the Northern Territory:
o Assist small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with workforce planning with the
introduction of Your Workforce – a guide for employers. An online tool to assist
business with workforce planning. Provide access to qualified consultants under
the NT Workforce Planning Program to support businesses to gear up their
workforce.
o Introduce the Business Growth - Employment Solutions Program to support
business access to specialist advice across workforce matters such as staff
development, training, retention, attraction, and legislative and regulatory
obligations.
o Partner with regions to develop workforce strategies that recognise the differing
needs of the Northern Territory’s regions. This will include individual workforce
plans developed for the Major Remote Towns.
Develop and publish a range of information that supports workforce planning: research,
collate and publish information on industries, regions, SMEs and Major Remote Towns
work with industry, regions and training advisory councils to expand the annual Northern
Territory Occupation Shortage List to include forecast future skill needs.
Continuing strategies and actions
The Territory Government has partnered with the following sectors to develop workforce
strategies that meet each respective sector’s needs:
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transport and logistics
oil and gas (post construction)
construction
early childhood
manufacturing.
The strategies aim to increase the engagement of under-represented groups in the workforce,
such as youth, women and Indigenous people, attract and retain suitable workers, and
encourage workers to upskill or re-skill. They also contain a number of initiatives specific to
each sector aimed at reducing barriers to growing the sector’s workforce.
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Partner with priority industry sectors to develop and implement evidence based
workforce development strategies. Priority sectors include:
o community services
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
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o tourism
o VET workforce.
Partner with major project proponents to identify workforce needs, while maximising
training and employment opportunities for Territorians.
Measuring success
Maintaining higher than national labour force participation rates.
‘The NT Transport and Logistics Workforce Development Plan has provided our
industry with an opportunity to look over the horizon to identify and respond
proactively and in an informed fashion with greater understanding of the workforce
needs into the future. Scarce training resources can be utilised more effectively and
decisions are being made using a sound evidence base.’ – Louise Bilato, Road
Transport Association
‘Take advantage of the Workforce Planning program opportunity. Open your doors
with an experienced consultant to be an external set of eyes looking at your
business. Quite often you can’t see the very things you need to be addressing your
staffing requirements and challenges.’ – Eric Sutherland, Colemans Printing
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Priority: Increase responsiveness in the training system
Objective: Increase the responsiveness of the education and training
system to deliver a productive and highly skilled workforce that
enables all working age Territorians to participate in the labour
market.
To achieve this, we require a responsive and equitable training system that meets the needs of
industry and individuals, including those from disadvantaged groups.
The Employment Strategy 2012-2015 aims to enhance access and delivery of training pathways
from schools to VET, higher education and employment.
VET aims to provide people with the skills and knowledge they require to enter the workforce for
the first time, re-enter the workforce, train or re-train for a new job, upgrade their skills, or to
move into further education. Beginning VET in Schools introduces young people to the
importance of being work-ready and skilled.
VET is offered not only in the public system, but is also available through private and community
training providers and in secondary schools. It is equally taken up by males and females. VET
programs are now available across all industry sectors, including through apprenticeship and
traineeship arrangements, and provides for basic skills training up to high level technical
training.
A series of national reforms will help the Territory to supply and build a highly skilled workforce,
encourage existing workers to upskill and re-skill, support higher levels of workforce
participation, and ensure training is more responsive to the needs of industry and individuals.
The reforms will also assist individuals, providing them with the skills they need for employment
in an environment where the number of higher skilled jobs is growing more quickly.
These reforms will be implemented over five years in partnership with the Territory and
Australian governments, industry, employers and students.
Priority strategies and actions
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Introduce VET reforms in partnership with the Australian Government, industry,
employers and students, including:
o introduce a unique student identifier by 2014 to enable Territorians to track their
VET achievements
o improve training information for consumers through the introduction of the
national MySkills website, with phase one to be launched in 2012.
Ensure the delivery of VET in Schools meets industry standards and employer needs,
especially in remote and regional locations.
Introduce a pathways delivery model that uses embedded training, mentors and
teachers working together to overcome the challenges of delivering training in remote
communities.
Strengthen the skills of the VET workforce to increase the quality of VET provision and
continue to invest in VET facilities.
Continuing strategies and actions
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Engage industry groups, unions and training advisory councils in setting the training
agenda.
Support and assist tertiary providers through partnerships and program delivery.
Through the VET in Schools program, work with parents, schools and local industry to:
o focus training in schools on local industry needs
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
o
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bring industry into closer relationships with schools
improve the work readiness of students.
Measuring success
Growing the skill level of the Territory workforce.
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Priority: Increase Indigenous workforce participation
Objective: Increase Indigenous participation in the workforce and
support business and industry to continue to develop sustainable
employment opportunities for Indigenous Territorians.
Indigenous Territorians are working successfully in a range of professional and waged jobs, and
are participating in training in higher numbers each year. However, Indigenous workers remain
proportionally under-represented in the Northern Territory workforce.
The Territory Government will continue to direct resources linking areas of need with
opportunities to improve employment outcomes and economic participation for all Territorians.
The most recent figures for the Northern Territory (2006) showed the majority of Indigenous
workers were in low-skilled occupations (almost one third were labourers) while non-Indigenous
workers tended to be in high-skilled occupations (half were managers, professionals or
technicians and trades workers). The employment strategy will also support Indigenous workers
progress in their jobs through career advancement to help reduce this imbalance.
Priority strategies and actions
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Engage with business to develop strategies and workforce planning to increase local
Indigenous workforce opportunities under a new Indigenous Workforce Participation
Initiatives Program that will support business to develop tailored programs to improve
Indigenous employment outcomes.
Develop workforce plans for the Major Remote Towns to provide structured pathways to
support economic participation in these remote communities.
Establish pilot programs to engage local businesses, shires and schools to develop
pathways for students, including school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, in
Major Remote Towns.
Establish Regional and Remote Workforce Connect, a new program to link workers in
remote areas to jobs created through major new resource and infrastructure projects in
Darwin.
Initiate the development of a wrap-around service model of support through Bachelor
Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education to enable Indigenous workers to enter and
stay in employment. The model will include foundation skills, mentoring and effective
engagement with employers, service providers and registered training organisations.
Continuing strategies and actions
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Develop ‘local jobs for local people’ initiatives to expand employment opportunities in
regional and remote areas.
Increase the number of Indigenous people entering and staying in the Northern Territory
Public Sector.
Support Indigenous employment programs in the regions such as Indigenous ranger and
marine ranger and the Indigenous pastoral programs.
Implement a three-year Remote Jobs package, investing in shires to develop
sustainable Indigenous employment opportunities in the regions to build capacity,
including maintenance of government assets.
Leverage Indigenous employment outcomes through government procurement.
Measuring success
Increasing Indigenous workforce participation.
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
‘Having joined the NT Government’s Indigenous Employment Program to gain
employment, graduate Mark Munnich is thrilled with the direction his journey has
taken. ‘Now at the end of the program I not only have employment but am aware of
new career paths available to me. The Indigenous Employment Program has shown
us that the possibilities are endless and that you can do anything in life if you put
your mind to it.’ – Mark Munnich, IEP graduate
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Priority: Support business and industry to improve
productivity
Objectives: Support SMEs to optimise business practices and
increase employment opportunities for Territorians and identify and
support the development of new industries, opportunities and
investment.
A capable Northern Territory business and industry community is the key to opportunities for
successful recruitment, retention and development of employees.
The Territory Government provides a range of support services to industry and business to help
grow industry capacity and capability, improve business competitiveness, stimulate innovation
and improve productivity.
The government also undertakes investment attraction, promotion and facilitation activities
aimed at supporting business and industry growth.
A competitive and broad based business environment encourages ongoing workforce skills
development, increased responsiveness to change, greater productivity and enhanced
economic development.
Priority strategies and actions
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Boost the Industry Build Skills Program to support industry to identify their skills needs
and give Territorians working in industry the opportunities to upskill and gain recognised
qualifications.
Support SMEs to embrace eCommerce with a new Technology Solutions grant program
that provides tailored eBusiness solutions.
Develop a Jobs Portal creating an online jobs shop to connect employers and job
seekers to meet increased business needs in a dynamic employment market.
Continuing strategies and actions:
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Reform government procurement policy to make it simpler, easier and fairer for local
businesses to win government work.
Provide assistance for SMEs to enhance business performance, profitability, market
penetration, employment levels and resource-efficient practices.
Provide ongoing support to help local businesses develop the capabilities necessary to
secure valuable contracts and opportunities from resource and infrastructure projects.
Promote the Northern Territory as ‘open for business’ and ‘investment ready’ to ensure a
continued pipeline of major project developments providing sustainable economic growth
and job creation.
Targeted national and international investment attraction campaigns to attract new
industry development and encourage partnerships with local business to enhance and
grow local industry capability.
Attract local, interstate and overseas industry and Defence investment to the Defence
Support Hub, which will broaden our region’s Defence support industry.
Facilitate economic development and jobs growth for remote communities.
Provide financial and other support to industry associations to support industry
development and increased job opportunities.
Maximise local industry participation in major projects and significant government
projects through Industry Participation Plans and support the Industry Capability
Network.
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
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Work with the Australian Government and industry to inform migration policy to support
businesses to attract skilled and semi-skilled workers when none can be sourced locally
or nationally, including developing tailored regional agreements.
Partner with industry, peak bodies and unions to promote the Territory as a place to live
and work through marketing campaigns and international migration exhibitions and
career exhibitions across Australia and overseas.
Measuring success
Growing the size of the Territory workforce.
‘One of the most valuable skills transfer that migrants offer is their work ethic and
their determination to overcome all obstacles to build a better life for themselves and
their families.
‘We are finding that the sharing of culture and customs works both ways and we
know we are making real headway in closing the gap in Alice Springs as we are
slowly and steadily assisting local Indigenous jobseekers to convert from welfare
recipients to taxpayers with career visions and working lives.’ – Karen Sheldon,
Karen Sheldon Catering
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Implementation and review
The Department of Business will oversee the implementation of the Employment Strategy
2012–2015. Implementation involves partnership and engagement with Northern Territory,
Australian and local government agencies, industry associations, peak bodies, industry,
business, employers, unions, schools, registered training providers and individuals within the
community.
The Territory Government is committed to the coordinated involvement in, and development of
partnerships with other organisations, an approach that is vital to the success of the initiatives
evolving from this strategy.
Department of Business
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
Appendix A: Achievements under Jobs NT and Jobs Plan
Sector specific strategies
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Since the release of Jobs NT 2010–2012, the Territory Government has partnered with
the following sectors to develop workforce strategies that meet the sector’s needs:
o small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
o transport and logistics
o oil and gas (post construction)
o construction
o tourism
o early childhood
o manufacturing.
The strategies aim to increase the engagement of under-represented groups in the
workforce such as youth and Indigenous people, help attract and retain suitable workers,
and encourage workers to upskill or re-skill. They also contain a number of initiatives
specific to each sector aimed at reducing barriers to growing the sector’s workforce.
Vocational Education and Training
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More than 24 000 students participated in VET in 2011.
The original target of 10 000 apprentice and trainee commencements between 2005 to
2008 was met. In 2009 a new target of 10 000 apprentice and trainee commencements
over four years was set and has been met.
There was a 20-30% increase in achievement of higher level VET qualifications
(Certificate IV and above) between 2010 and 2011.
The Northern Territory Government and INPEX contributed funds to establish the North
Australian Centre for Oil and Gas.
Government supports private sector investment that contributes to skilling Territorians:
o Larrakia Trade Training Centre (Larrakia Development Corporation, INPEX and
Total)
o the CDU business school at Darwin Waterfront (Toga Group and Charles Darwin
University).
The Northern Territory and Australian governments in partnership have delivered Trade
Training Centres for access by remote Territory students. Trade Training Centres allow
local students in 14 schools and school jurisdictions, to gain practical training and real
pathways into jobs while they are still at school.
930 school students were given on-the-job skills training through structured work
placements in more than 420 businesses in 2011.
1041 school students completed a VET in Schools qualification in 2011.
Indigenous employment and training
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The goal of 3000 commencements for Indigenous workers has been exceeded, with
3947 commencements as at June 2011. Of these, 44% were Indigenous apprentices.
The Indigenous Training for Employment Program joint initiative with the Australian
Government has stimulated 1700 employment opportunities in the form of jobs and
workplace development.
The Territory Government is working with industry to further stimulate Indigenous
employment through workforce planning and development. Examples include the preemployment program with the Minerals Council Australia NT, Aboriginal workers in
health and community services sectors and local government.
Government procurement processes have been used to leverage increased
opportunities for Indigenous employment. The Territory Government sought 20%
Indigenous employment under the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
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Program (SIHIP). As at 29 February 2012, an average of 30% of the SIHIP workforce
since commencement were Indigenous.
Local Implementation Plans have been agreed for the majority of the Major Remote
Towns to stimulate and grow local employment activity. Jobs Profiles have been
completed for all Major Remote Towns.
Indigenous Territorians accounted for 27% of apprentices and trainee commencements
since 2009.
Since its inception in 2009 the Indigenous Employment Program has helped 103
Indigenous people commence employment in the Northern Territory Public Sector.
Support for business
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Increased attendance at business events.
o In 2011, a record 7539 people attended the October Business Month (OBM)
activities throughout the Northern Territory. OBM provides new business
management knowledge and ideas to the Northern Territory business
community.
o More than 1900 Territorians attended the Business Upskills programs across the
Northern Territory. The program offers small business the opportunity to identify
areas for improvement that can increase the capacity and capability of each
enterprise.
In 2010 and 2011 more than 160 Northern Territory businesses received assistance
through the Business Growth programs to develop strategic plans to enhance business
performance, profitability, employment levels and market penetration.
The Gearing Up Local Business for Major Projects Taskforce was created. The taskforce
consists of senior representatives from key industry associations, unions, training
providers, major oil and gas companies and government. The taskforce was established
to address workforce, pre-qualification and business and industry development
opportunities.
An Industry Development Program was delivered, consisting of an INPEX Ichthys
Industry Opportunity Forum followed by a series of topic specific workshops and
seminars. More than 900 business participants attended the program.
Financial and broader support was provided to the Information Communication and
Technology Industry Association of the Northern Territory to develop its industry strategy
and associated programs, initiatives and workforce development plans.
Financial and broader support was provided to the Northern Territory Manufacturers
Council to develop its industry strategy to capitalise on the opportunities from the natural
resource boom. The strategy identifies strategic actions to assist Territory manufacturers
to respond to the emerging market opportunities.
The Territory Government worked with INPEX to establish the Ichthys Industry
Participation Plan, which aims to optimise Northern Territory industry and Indigenous
engagement in the Ichthys project.
A range of business and industry development financial assistance programs were
delivered to industry associations and individual businesses. The programs are aimed at
growing regional industry capability and capacity and increase business activity.
Associations assisted include the Industry Capability Network, Manufacturers Council,
International Business Council, Master Builders Association and the Civil Contractors
Federation.
The Territory Government administers a Defence Support Unit which focuses on
Defence industry development and investment attraction.
Indigenous jobs growth and economic development has been supported and facilitated
in Major Remote Towns.
In 2011, nearly 1700 visa nominations were processed, including employer nominations
under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and nominations for applicants under
state-specific migration programs.
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Employment Strategy 2012-2015
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The Territory Government partnered with industry associations and Unions NT to
undertake national worker attraction at career expos in Wollongong in 2011 and
Brisbane in 2012 and through a dedicated Northern Territory event in Adelaide in 2011.
In 2011, in partnership with industry, peak industry associations and UnionsNT, the
Northern Territory Government participated in skilled migration exhibitions in Ireland,
South Africa and the United Kingdom, promoting the Northern Territory as a highly
attractive employment destination.
The Territory Worker Database was modified to allow for international registrations,
resumes and information uploads. More than 2440 active candidates joined the
database between July 2011 and March 2012. About 300 Northern Territory businesses
are registered to access the database to search for candidates.
For more information contact
Northern Territory Government
Department of Business
GPO Box 3200 Darwin NT 0801
T: (08) 8999 7758
E: employment.strategy@nt.gov.au
www.nt.gov.au/business
Department of Business
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