A five-year workforce strategy designed to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment opportunities and participation in the Australian Public Service (APS) has been released.
Announced by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy 2020-2024 sets the direction for all APS, as employers.
Mr Wyatt said the Strategy focussed on three priority areas Cultural Integrity, Career Pathways and Career Development and Advancement.
“While we celebrate the previous strategy’s success in meeting its targets and increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commonwealth public sector employees,” Mr Wyatt said, “this Strategy has a renewed focus on developing and retaining a strong leadership cohort.”
“We want to see more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander senior leaders in the Commonwealth.”
Mr Wyatt said increased representation at all levels would ensure the public sector delivered leading Government services, policies and programs which resulted in better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
“By building a talent pipeline, through direct recruitment and professional development, we can ensure we will strengthen and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation at all levels throughout the Commonwealth public sector,” he said.
He said successful implementation was key and would require greater portfolio collaboration, stronger focus on delivery and improved regional relationships.
The 30-page Workforce Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
