The African Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) African Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) is a demand-led partnership model in which Jesuit Social Services and the National Australia Bank (NAB) work together to support candidates and provide them with six months paid job placement. The need for the program was identified by the African-Australian community who noted that lack of local experience in the Australian business sector was a significant barrier to employment for qualified African- Australians. The program provides participants with: Relevant work experience in their chosen field An entry level salary A range of skills, training and professional development workshops and opportunities A supportive workplace environment to ensure successful completion of their placement A workplace mentor to support workplace performance A career coach to assist with broader career development The AAIP was established in 2009 and provides a strong example of social and business sector collaboration for stronger collective impact. The program delivers genuine shared value benefitting NAB, the participants and the broader community. The program has provided roles in areas including Finance, Business Administration, Business Analysis, Corporate Responsibility, Project Management, Marketing, IT, Customer Contact Centre. To date 183 participants have successfully completed their placement. The program has achieved an 86 per cent success rate post the placement period with candidates either finding employment at the NAB or other companies. The AAIP has been recognised with a number of awards. On-the-job support In most instances there is no post-placement support provided by Commonwealth programs. In addition in some instances young people are referred into employment placements with employers who take advantage of them (for example requiring them to do long hours, with minimal breaks between shifts). There is generally no follow up from the job agency regarding the rights and responsibilities of employers. We know that for disadvantaged groups, job placement support is critical to sustainable employment outcomes. This step is missing in many of the current programs. On the job support also needs to involve support the employer. This might mean liaising with the employer to help them understand the needs of the employee, how they can best support them, and assisting the employer with any problems that might arise. All these activities can help to ensure the person is successful in the position and is achieves job retention. Recommended actions: Fund post job placement support as a core component of all employment programs for disadvantaged groups.
The African Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) African Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) is a demand-led partnership model in which Jesuit Social Services and the National Australia Bank (NAB) work together to support candidates and provide them with six months paid job placement. The need for the program was identified by the African-Australian community who noted that lack of local experience in the Australian business sector was a significant barrier to employment for qualified African- Australians. The program provides participants with: Relevant work experience in their chosen field An entry level salary A range of skills, training and professional development workshops and opportunities A supportive workplace environment to ensure successful completion of their placement A workplace mentor to support workplace performance A career coach to assist with broader career development The AAIP was established in 2009 and provides a strong example of social and business sector collaboration for stronger collective impact. The program delivers genuine shared value benefitting NAB, the participants and the broader community. The program has provided roles in areas including Finance, Business Administration, Business Analysis, Corporate Responsibility, Project Management, Marketing, IT, Customer Contact Centre. To date 183 participants have successfully completed their placement. The program has achieved an 86 per cent success rate post the placement period with candidates either finding employment at the NAB or other companies. The AAIP has been recognised with a number of awards. On-the-job support In most instances there is no post-placement support provided by Commonwealth programs. In addition in some instances young people are referred into employment placements with employers who take advantage of them (for example requiring them to do long hours, with minimal breaks between shifts). There is generally no follow up from the job agency regarding the rights and responsibilities of employers. We know that for disadvantaged groups, job placement support is critical to sustainable employment outcomes. This step is missing in many of the current programs. On the job support also needs to involve support the employer. This might mean liaising with the employer to help them understand the needs of the employee, how they can best support them, and assisting the employer with any problems that might arise. All these activities can help to ensure the person is successful in the position and is achieves job retention. Recommended actions: Fund post job placement support as a core component of all employment programs for disadvantaged groups.
Submission-Jesuit-Social-Services-Attachment-1.DOCX