Senator the Hon Mark Arbib
Minister for Employment Participation
1 July, 2009
Media release
Tender results for panels under the Indigenous Employment Program
Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib today announced the results of the tender for two new panels which will deliver local employment solutions as part of the Rudd Government’s reformed Indigenous Employment Program.
A total of 345 organisations have been offered a position on the Employment Panel and 265 have been offered a position on the Economic Development and Business Support panel. Both panels will operate until 30 June 2012.
The Employment Panel is available for a broad range of projects to equip employers and job seekers with the skills, knowledge and expertise in order to maximise sustainable employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
Services provided through the Economic Development and Business Support Panel will foster and support enterprises from their beginning and throughout their development.
The new Panels allow organisations to be on a pre-qualified list of suppliers to provide quality services and innovative projects to help achieve employment outcomes and business development assistance for Indigenous Australians.
The Panels have been designed to be as flexible as possible to allow for good ideas to be funded as need arises. The Indigenous Employment Program funds projects on a rolling basis, with different projects each having their own start and end date.
Senator Arbib said the new services reflect the Australia Government’s commitment to enhancing employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
“The Rudd Government’s aim is to halve the employment gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade and this means removing those barriers to employment,” Senator Arbib said.
“The new panel arrangements will provide flexibility so that the Government can better work with Indigenous communities, organisations and individuals to deliver better projects and improved employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians.”
An open tender process was conducted by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. This followed an extensive consultation period between the Government, Indigenous Australians and their communities, Indigenous and non-Indigenous business, and service providers.
A full list of successful organisations appointed to Employment and Economic Development and Business Support panels is available at www.deewr.gov.au/indigenous.