Recently announced changes to the federally funded Remote Employment Services aims to ensure job service providers meet the needs of Indigenous and other remote job seekers. Diversity employment groups have welcomed the government's appointment of the Remote Employment Services Panel, which will see panellists conduct consultation forums at remote locations across Australia from 15 August, beginning in Dubbo, New South Wales. The Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Mark Arbib, said members of the panel are prominent and high profile Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians with extensive knowledge and expertise in remote participation and employment servicing. "They will assist in driving the consultation process and developing new remote participation and employment services arrangements, which will be in place from 1 July 2013," Senator Arbib said. He added, "The Government believes that new Remote Participation and Employment Services arrangements should be simpler, more integrated and more flexible." With the unemployment rate for Indigenous Australians sitting at 16%, Danny Lestor, CEO of the Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES), said HR processes need to change to incorporate more commitment from organisations to drive higher rates of employment. "For example, if you traditionally recruited via online tools, that won't work for Indigenous career seekers. There needs to be an alternate process that enables greater awareness and catchment to engage potential employees," Lestor said.

Rio Tinto is one example of a company that has incorporated an in-house training program for Indigenous youths. Rio Tinto's Aboriginal Work Ready Employment Program supports aboriginal students to complete a 20-week course and receive Certificate 2 in Resource Infrastructure (TAFE).

The program consists of senior first aid, light vehicle servicing, elevated work platform and business and finance training.

The graduates are set to work in mining operations, construction and service and support industry, with organisations including Rio Tinto Coastal Operations, ISS, Monadelphousand The Australian Defence Force among the employers of the graduates.

"Over the last two years the Rio Tinto Work Ready Program has ramped up and we have seen over 90 students graduate and become successfully employed within the mining and resources industry," Rio Tinto general manager port operations Nick Serle said.

"This was the first course to include work experience placement and personal mentoring which was very popular with the students and really helped them to secure jobs they find interesting," Searle said.

Rio Tinto's Aboriginal Work Ready Employment Program is run twice per year, with the next course planned for September 2011.

For further information about Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES) click here.