Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement

UWS is known as a University of the people and the community we live and operate in. This includes emphasising the knowledge, skills, histories, traditions and cultures of First Australians, fostering an environment that embraces and values people’s individual differences. The University actively develops and supports initiatives which:

• embrace equity in employment and diversity in the workplace;
• promote it as a responsive partner with which to engage in a range of enterprises.

The Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement contributes to enhancing both the staff and student experience. It represents one of the main areas within the University that focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. The Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement is a representative voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and potential employees at all levels as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ‘rising stars’ and alumni at UWS including undergraduate Cadets, Early Career Academics and Researchers. It seeks to:

• maximise employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s at UWS and beyond;
• build collaborative networks and commercial partnerships within the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) region;
• listen and give voice to the issues being raised by the communities in Greater Western Sydney where these impact on the University and its future.

Employment

There is wide-spread cultural endorsement amongst First Peoples, elder groups, Indigenous organisations and groups in GWS, that the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement can and should support, advocate for and when appropriate, represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders employees in cultural maters which pertain to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement strategy and goals.

UWS aims to be the preferred employer of choice within Greater Western Sydney for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to promote the benefits of inclusiveness and diversity in the workplace to all employees. UWS has developed an Indigenous Employment Strategy which aims to attract, retain and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We value the contributions made by our employees and recognise the importance of a flexible, supportive and diverse working environment.

For more information, please see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy.

Engagement

The Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement vigorously a community engagement agenda by:

• founding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement Advisory Board, the first such Board in the tertiary education sector, membership of which includes a majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Elders, Leaders, Cultural Advisors from the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) region, who volunteer their expertise and time to provide advice and assistance to the office;
  
• being one of the principal contact points and nexus between the multiple communities of GWS and the many UWS Work Units for occasions such as arranging University-sponsored ‘Welcome to Country’ addresses, celebratory and ceremonial events;
• collaborating with and/or supporting community-driven initiatives arising from local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and groups.
  

For more information, please see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Strategy.

The Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement has successfully engaged with government and business, generating income and ongoing commercial partnerships for UWS. By developing targeted employment programs aimed at catapulting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders talent into Traineeships, Cadetships, Professional and Academic positions at UWS and beyond. UWS gathers a growing share of corporate Australia’s financial contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples job futures by providing a brokerage service, placing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders trainees and Cadets into jobs in growth industries.

For more information, please see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeships.

More information

For more information, please contact the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement.

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