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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-05-16 Daily Xml
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South Australian Aboriginal Building and Civil Construction Academy

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (14:37): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Will the minister please inform the council about the launch of the South Australian Aboriginal Building and Civil Construction Academy held on 29 March?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:38): I would be most happy to, and I thank the honourable member for his question and his interest in this area. I had the privilege to attend the launch of the South Australian Aboriginal Building and Civil Construction Academy in Port Adelaide recently. I would like to acknowledge the attendance of a number of my parliamentary colleagues: the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis, the Hon. Joe Szakacs and the Hon. Tung Ngo, who were in attendance at the time.

The purpose of the event was to explore how the academy can support South Australian businesses pre-tender and in project delivery across the state, as well as highlight the academy's model in successfully engaging Aboriginal workforces. At all government levels, as well as in the private sector, there has been an increase in investment being provided to make sure that there is an increase in the procurement of Aboriginal employment, particularly in large-scale projects. This is particularly evident through the development and the implementation of the Indigenous Procurement Policy.

As many are aware, Aboriginal people have historically experienced high levels of unemployment and underemployment, which has resulted in economic disempowerment and social disadvantage. Employment opportunities such as those launched at the academy will provide Aboriginal people with financial stability, allowing for improvement in their standard of living and gaining greater control over their lives. By having access to secure, ongoing, well-paid employment, there is also the opportunity to develop skills, experience and networks that can enhance career development and income.

The establishment of this academy was to positively address these issues and has been a significant undertaking over the last 12 months. An important development component of the academy was a collaboration with leading industry experts, industry advocates, traditional owners and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal business leaders. The key focus of the academy, through industry partnerships, is to provide an integrated approach to deliver a culturally inclusive work environment with high training standards which will not only benefit Aboriginal workforces but, equally, the employer.

The academy model is underpinned by seven components: vocational support underpinned by connections to a range of additional services in health and wellness; supporting Aboriginal jobseekers into stronger socio-economic participation, both individually and as a community; place-based implementation services; appropriate mentoring services; improvement of the job-seeking experience; efficiency through a physical, centralised, and coordinated service point that is accepted by community; and a demand-driven service approach.

It was a privilege to attend the event and I would like to congratulate all who were involved in getting the academy up to this point. I am excited to see the impact this academy will have on Aboriginal people and within the building and civil construction industry.

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