Presentation Transcript

1. Gaps in Employment Services for Refugees

   Presenter Abeselom Nega
2. Background Information Policy Framework Underpinned by the government’s social inclusion policy framework Employment services are a critical element of Australia’s employment system and act as an enabler of labour mobility History Tumultuous twenty year history of policy change and experimentation DETYA DEWRSB DEWR DEEWR ?
3. Macro Economic Climate Labour Market outlook Law national unemployment rate High unemployment rate in Employment Service Areas where refugee communities live Good Examples are NSW: Fairfield Liverpool, Outer West, Central West and Canterbury Bankstown Vic : Melbourne South, Melbourne West and Softening economy- service, manufacturing and retail sectors (Source: DEEWR Labour Market Report)
4. Macro Economic Climate Labour Market Outlook Deteriorating job prospects even for university graduates (24% university graduates unable to find employment for at least four months) Job outlook for 2008 is grim Skills crises has become a catch cry phrase by businesses across many industries thus an increase in skilled migration (44,350) 29% rise from last year This is an independent migration stream where the applicant can come without applying Law investor confidence fuelled by the prospects of European Crises, taxes, law consumer confidence and rising Australian dollar (Source: Graduate Careers Australia)
5. Key Elements of Job Services Australia The positives Innovation Fund-for organisations that do not tender for employment services to be on a panel; Inclusion of social outcomes as a component of performance measurement system Increased flexibility in the use of Employment Pathways Fund (EPF) Adjustment of Employment Service Areas (ESAs) Refinement to the compliance system to ensure it is fairer and better targeted
6. JSA-Key Design Elements Four Streams (in 2000 towns) Job Pathways Plan Jobs Pathways Fund Job seeker compliance Performance measurement system based on star rating. Complex regression model is to measure performance Charter of contract management Service assumes strong cooperation between DEEWR, Centrelink and JSA providers
7. Key Elements of Job Services Australia cont.. The draw backs The structural design elements of JN remain in place Budget allocation too low-there are no sufficient resources for job seekers with multiple barriers and poor job prospects EPF guidelines- do not require service providers to use the resources to support highly disadvantaged job seekers Disproportionate use of EPF to support job seekers with higher likelihood of achieving payable outcomes
8. Key Elements of Job Services Australia cont.. The draw backs Lack of clarity on the measurement of social outcomes Providers focus on employment and vocational interventions that maximise fee payment with no regard to sustainable pathways Lack of focus on intermediate outcomes-essential stepping stones to sustainable employment outcomes Increased “parking” of job seekers with lower job prospects
9. Key Elements of Job Services Australia cont.. The draw backs Increased focus on compliance rather than building positive relationships with job seekers through “no show, no pay” Refugees still are:- Greater risk of social inclusion and poor pathways to sustainable employment The Reasons are See the next slides
10. What are the causes of the gaps Inappropriate referral to stream services/providers Lack of comprehensive and culturally competent assessment process to identify the vocational and non vocational barriers to employment faced by refugees Lack of tailored employment pathways that focus on sustainable employment outcomes Lack of logical flow of interventions e.g. Language and literacy training VET Work experience Job Search Training Post Placement Support Lack of service coordination and integration IHSS/SGP AMEP LLNP JSA
11. What are the causes of the gaps cont... Lack of industry competency requirement byJSA staff to work with specialised groups such as refugees Lack of holistic approach to measuring relative disadvantage -JSCI (limited factors) Limited JSCI factors Lack of foundation knowledge to access VET Lack of pre apprenticeship and pre traineeship opportunities Inappropriate use of Employment Pathways Fund One size fits all Parking and creaming Lack of community ownership
12. The way Forward Better assessment process Refining the JSCI Better linkages with employer and industry groups Community involvement-the need to include in the JSA performance measurement system community partnerships and community involvement Flexible and integrated services Joined up solutions