Our EEO & Diversity Forums provide an opportunity for those who share an interest in workplace diversity to come together and hear about relevant issues and to network with colleagues. While the role of the Office of EEO is to work with the State and local government sectors, the Forums are open to anyone from State, Federal, local government and the private sector.

Cultural Diversity and Youth - 'Are we showing the way?'
4 December 2008

The December Forum focused on promoting successful strategies that agencies have implemented to improve the representation of people from culturally diverse backgrounds and youth in the Western Australian public sector. The Forum also provided attendees with an overview of the positive equity and diversity outcomes achieved for the public sector as reported in the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment's Annual Report 2008.

75 attendees were provided with the opportunity to hear about programs and initiatives implemented which may be more widely adopted to attract and retain employees from a culturally diverse background and youth.

The Forum was facilitated by Michael Palermo, the acting Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment, who opened the event with an overview of the Forum's program. A copy of Michael's transcript is available here.

Dr Chris Stansbury – Director, Public Sector Evaluation and Reporting – OPSSC gave the first presentation on the 2008 equity and diversity results for the public sector - as reported in the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity's Annual Report 2008. Chris's presentation highlighted the positive change that has occurred towards achieving increased equity and diversity outcomes for the public sector, with particular emphasis on:

• changes to data collection methodology;
• public authority demographic data; and
• statistics, representation and distribution outcomes for the five diversity groups: Women in Management, Indigenous Australians, People with Disabilities, People from Culturally Diverse Backgrounds and Youth.

A copy of Chris's presentation is available here.

The second presentation was from Sue Egerton, A/Director of Human Resources and Ben Prescott, Senior Human Resources Consultant - Central TAFE. Sue and Ben outlined the successful approach taken by Central TAFE in matching their lecturing staff with their client base to improve the cultural diversity within their organisation. Their presentation focused on:

• how it all began;
• review of recruitment and selection processes;
• diversity data review;
• incorporating diversity needs into workforce plans;
• progress; and
• culture of celebrating diversity.

A copy of Sue and Ben's presentation is available here.

The final presentation was from Victor Badenko – Manager, HR Consultancy, Personnel and Payroll – FESA who shared with the audience the strategies FESA had implemented to recruit and retain Youth – either as public sector employees or as part of FESA's volunteers program. Victor discussed:

• FESA's background;
• percentage of staff who fall under the Youth category;
• linkage to FESA's Equity and Diversity Plan;
• recruitment issues;
• alternative advertising and awareness raising methods; and
• mentoring programs.

A copy of Victor's presentation is available here.

Michael concluded the Forum by thanking the presenters, the agencies who had provided publications and brochures for the event and OEEO team for organising the Forum.

Agencies were invited to contact the OEEO if they require further assistance in developing employment strategies to increase representation for the diversity groups.

The next Forum will be held March 2009.

Employing People with Disabilities - "The Way to Go" - 9 September 2008

This Forum focused on raising awareness of what Public Sector agencies are doing to improve employment outcomes for People with Disabilities. The morning's program included presentations from Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, Curtin University, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and City of Belmont. The forum provided valuable information on current programs and a range of strategies and initiatives organizations have in place for recruiting and retaining People with Disabilities. The Forum also provided an opportunity for participants to network with support agencies such as the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Disability Services Commission and Disability Works Australia. Representatives from these agencies were available to assist with enquiries relating to attracting and retaining People with Disabilities.

The Forum opened with a presentation from the Noela Taylor, Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment, who set the scene in relation to the employment of People with Disabilities within the public sector. Noela spoke about the relationship and commitment to the Governments Equity & Diversity Plan for the Public Sector Workforce 2006-2009, in relation to current level of representation in the sector. A copy of Noela's transcript is available here.

Attendees heard from Mei Wood on DOCEP's Entry Level Pool Recruitment Program. The presentation provided an overview of the entry level pool approach and discussed:

• Background to the Program;
• How it worked;
• Job redesign, the reality of it; and
• Achievements.

A copy of Mei's presentation is available here.

The next presentation was from Clem Hansen on Curtin University's employment strategy for People with Disabilities. The presentation provided an overview linking the strategy to the key outcomes in their Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2007-2012 with particular emphasis on:

• their Profile and partnership arrangements;
• positive actions and outcomes; and
• short term future direction.

A copy of Clem's presentation is available here.

The next presentation was from Vanessa Hart on Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital's Patient Support Services People with Disabilities program. The presentation provided an account of how they provide practical solutions on employing and retaining People with Disabilities. Vanessa discussed:

• Her role and involvement in supporting People with Disabilities and their related policies;
• Practical examples, flexible work practices; and
• Tips on what works well for their organization in retaining People with Disabilities.

A copy of Vanessa's presentation is available here.

The final presentation was from Caroline Corney and Chelsea Phillips on the City of Belmont's strategies on employing and retaining People with Disabilities. The presentation provided an overview of the initiatives currently in place to improve the representation, with particular emphasis on:

• "The Belmont Way's" culture and values;
• Case studies and practical examples;
• Supporting Policies and systems in place; and
• Staff testimonials.

A copy of Caroline and Chelsea's presentation is available here.

Noela concluded the Forum by thanking presenters and the OEEO team for their contributions towards the forum. Agencies were referred back to the Resource Kit provided which contained the 'Showing the Way' - 'Employing People with Disabilities' publication and invited agencies to seek assistance from the office in developing employment strategies for People with Disabilities.

Indigenous Employment Strategies Diversity Forum – 13 March 2008 - What’s Going On??

This Forum focused on raising awareness of what public sector agencies are doing to improve employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians. The morning’s program included presentations from Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), Department of Housing and Works (DHW), and the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC). The forum provided agencies with the opportunity to hear about other program’s or initiatives implemented which may be more widely adopted to increase the representation of Indigenous Australians in the public sector.

The Forum opened with a presentation from the Noela Taylor, Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment, who set the scene in relation to the employment of Indigenous Australians within the public sector. Noela spoke about the relationship and commitment to the Governments Equity & Diversity Plan for the Public Sector Workforce 2006–2009, in relation to the current level of representation in the sector.

Attendees heard from Jessica Mann on DEC’s Mentored Aboriginal Training and Employment Scheme (MATES). The presentation provided an overview of the MATES program, with particular emphasis on Aboriginal Traineeships and Cadetships programs, and discussed:

• the strategies and mechanisms for implementation,
• hurdles encountered,
• opportunities for growth and improvement, and
• showcased some success stories.

This is a nationally recongised and award winning program. A copy of Jessica’s presentation is available here.

The next presentation was from Bert Linden and Marque Raymond, on DHW’s Indigenous Employment Strategy 2007-2012. A driving force behind this strategy was the Equal Opportunity Commission report on “Finding A Place”.

The DHW presentation summarised:

• how they have embraced the recommendations within the report,
• the initiatives that comprise this strategy,
• advances and achievements to date, and
• shared experiences.

A copy of Bert and Marque’s presentation is available here.

The final presentation of the Forum was from Rebecca Rossi, on the DPC’s Entry Level Employment Program & Traineeship Programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Rebecca’s presentation highlighted how DPC supports public sector agencies to employ entry level staff or participate in traineeships. Agencies can access these programs through the DPC to facilitate employment for Indigenous Australians into the public sector and can assist with increasing an agency's diversity profile.

A copy of Rebecca’s presentation is available here.

Michael Palermo, Director Diversity concluded the Forum by thanking presenters and OEEO team for the contributions toward the forum. Agencies were referred back to the Resource Kit provided which contained ‘Insights – Strategies for Success’ material and the ‘Employment and Retention of Indigenous Australians – Showing the Way’ publication and invited agencies to seek assistance from the office in developing Indigenous employment strategies.

Showing the Way - 17 June 2008

This Forum promoted the launch of the ‘Showing the Way’ series and focused on raising awareness of what Public Sector agencies are doing to improve employment outcomes for Women in Management, Indigenous Australians, People with Disabilities, People from Culturally Diverse Backgrounds, and Youth. The morning’s program included presentations from WA Police, Western Australian Treasury Corporation, Gold Corporation (Perth Mint), and Department of Industry and Resources. The forum provided agencies with the opportunity to hear about other program’s or initiatives implemented which may be more widely adopted to increase the representation of EEO groups.

The Forum opened with a presentation from the Noela Taylor, Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment, who set the scene in relation to the why the Showing the Way series was produced – to address the shortfall between agency commitments and Government Objectives highlighted in Equity & Diversity Plan (Progress Report 2). A copy of Noela’s transcript is available from here.

Attendees heard from Peta Mabbs on WA Police’s involvement in the Women in Secondment Program. The presentation provided an overview of the Secondment Program, with particular emphasis on a participant’s perspective, and discussed:

• Background to the Program
• How it worked
• The reality of it, and
• Personal Achievements

A copy of Peta’s presentation is available here.

The next presentation was from Susan Coutts-Woods on the significance of a Culturally Diverse workforce to the business at Gold Corporation. The presentation provided an overview of the matching the business to service delivery, with particular emphasis on:

• their business
• the statistics
• Challenges, and successes

A copy of Susan’s presentation is available here.

The next presentation was from Michael Webb on the Western Australian Treasury Corporation’s People with Disabilities program. The presentation provided an account of how a small public sector agency improved the representation of People with Disabilities, Michael discussed:

• Senior Management Commitment
• Effective Human Resources Management, and
• Challenges

A copy of Michael’s presentation is available here.

The final presentation of the Forum was from Vern Van Aswegen on the Department of Industry and Resource’s Youth Program. The presentation provided an overview of the Youth Initiatives to improve the representation, with particular emphasis on:

• Targeting the right people
• Learning and Development
• Career Development
• Flexible work practices
• Hints to attract and retain Youth

A copy of Vern’s presentation is available here.

Noela concluded the Forum by thanking presenters and OEEO team for the contributions toward the forum. Agencies were referred back to the Resource Kit and invited agencies to seek assistance from the office in developing employment strategies to increase representation for Diversity Groups.