aboriginal affairs
ABORIGINAL PARTICIPATION IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SURVEY Omesh Jethwani, MBA Government Projects and Programs Managers highlights the results of the Aboriginal Participation in Construction Survey conducted by the MBA in December 2014. Master Builders Association of NSW (MBA) has signed an Industry Based Agreement (IBA) with the State Government in April 2014 that has the central purpose of promoting opportunities for Aboriginal employment and enterprise in the building and construction industry in NSW. One of the key tasks agreed under the IBA is to undertake an industry-wide survey, so as to identify various aspects of Aboriginal participation, training and enterprise opportunities in the building and construction industry. The results of the survey were presented to the NSW Government on 10 February 2015 to assist in the development of future government policy in relation to Aboriginal participation and procurement in our industry. The information below shows the results of the survey that was completed by Master Builders members. In summary: • 58 per cent would use MBA assistance in establishing an Aboriginal Participation Plan • 56 per cent are willing to provide an Aboriginal Culture Awareness course for their employees • 41 per cent responded they or an appropriate person in their organisation would be available to mentor an Aboriginal individual, who is considering setting up their own business • 29 per cent employ Aboriginal people • 88 per cent are Aboriginal males employed between the ages of 18 and 34 • 27 per cent are Aboriginal females employed between the ages of 18 and 34 • 47 per cent of Aboriginal people are in the carpentry trade, with 16 per cent in the civil trade and 12 per cent in the bricklaying trade • 53 per cent of Aboriginal people employed by the respondents are apprentices or trainees, 13 per cent as subcontractors, 13 per cent as supervisors and 9 per cent as project managers
“He taught me the power of encouragement. He taught me the reward of having a go where there seems to be no way up but, if you persevere – if you don’t ever give up – then you can achieve things which others think are impossible,” Andrew Forrest said of Scotty Black, Aboriginal stockman and mentor
• 50 per cent of Aboriginal people held a Certificate III qualification, 22 per cent held a Certificate IV qualification, 11 per cent held a diploma qualification, 5 per cent held an advanced diploma qualification and 8 per cent held a bachelor degree qualification • 62 per cent would utilise a database of job service providers and Aboriginal recruitment companies to employ an Aboriginal person • 51 per cent were unaware of incentives available to an employer for the employment of Aboriginal people • 5 per cent are fully or partially registered as an Aboriginal organisation • 76 per cent who completed the survey are builders with 12 per cent as subcontractors
The survey indicates the majority of Aboriginal people engaged are in the residential sector. MBA will introduce additional products and services for its members in the following areas: 1. Develop an Aboriginal Participation Plan in May 2015 2. Develop a database of organisations that deliver the Aboriginal Culture Awareness Course 3. Develop a database of job service providers and Aboriginal recruitment companies 4. Establish a portal to link Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal commercial, residential and civil organisations, Aboriginal owned businesses, suppliers and candidates
Contractors surveyed undertake work in three
For more information, please contact Omesh Jethwani by phoning 02 8586 3555
sectors of the industry: commercial and civil.
or emailing ojethwani@mbansw.asn.au
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