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The Community Development Employment Projects scheme continues
to reduce rates of unemployment for Indigenous Australians in the
bush. Nevertheless, the movement of participants into unsubsidised
employment in areas with thin labour markets remains difficult.
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The Community Development Employment Projects scheme cannot be
expected to solve the problems of unemployment or under-employment
for Indigenous Australians in the bush or elsewhere. Major changes
in the way we think about the types of economic development possible
in rural and remote areas are essential. However, this scheme can
assist by providing funds to support employers to provide training
and employment for participants, and paid part-time work for those
between jobs.
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This study confirms that the flexibility of the Community Development
Employment Projects scheme enables rural and remote communities
to access substantial blocks of funds and resources to customise
activities and enterprises and thus improve the physical and social
environments of local communities. The scheme provides opportunities
for individuals to experience regular work and undertake training.
This engagement enables participants to act as positive role models
for children and others where participation in employment and training
is not always the norm.
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Indigenous leaders want their communities to develop the professional
and trade skills required by all communities, and they agree that
the level of initial and advanced education needs to be raised.
Conclusions about the extent to which this scheme is able to meet
these needs are not straightforward. The scheme cannot be blamed
for the poor initial education of Indigenous Australians, nor can
it be expected to provide the academic preparation in specific subjects
required for entrance into professional courses. However, it can
improve access to education and training for participants by coordinating
training provision and providing encouragement and financial support
for training delivery and participation. There is also room for
the scheme to develop closer training linkages with external funding
agencies and programs.
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The success of the Community Development Employment Projects scheme
in encouraging participants and communities to engage in education
and training will also be heavily dependent on the availability
of qualified tradespersons and accredited trainers and assessors
to deliver, supervise and assess training. It will also be dependent
on the availability of training programs and accommodation for training
supervisors or staff. The scheme will have to develop appropriate
strategies to attract suitably qualified personnel to the bush to
provide these services.
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Indigenous leaders in rural and remote communities want the scheme
to continue. However, there is a need to ensure that all participants
are engaged in relevant and productive activities. Programs should
be made available to help scheme managers and community leaders
to identify and increase the range of possible productive employment
and community development activities, entrepreneurial ventures and
relevant training. There is also room for enhancing the business
development and governance skills of those who are responsible for
the management of these schemes.
