Page 2986 - Week 08 - Thursday, 17 August 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
why not and what efforts are being made to increase the number of ATSI employees to meet the required target, (c) what levels are ATSI employees typically employed at and (d) what is the highest public service level.
(2) How many ATSI peoples are employed within the hospitals as (a) nurses, (b) doctors, (c) other health professionals and identify these categories, (d) what is the target employment of ATSI peoples for each of these areas and (e) what measures, if any, is the Directorate taking to increase the number of ATSI staff in each of these areas.
(3) What steps has the Directorate taken to educate and equip staff, both in the hospital system and the public service, to be (a) more culturally aware of not just ATSI peoples, (b) more culturally aware of ethnically diverse groups in the ACT and (c) who runs the cultural programs, if any.
(4) What mentoring and leadership programs have been established in the Directorate that target current ATSI staff members and nurtures them to get the skills and experience to progress in public service careers.
(5) What is the retention rate of indigenous employees and what initiatives are aimed at retaining indigenous staff in the Directorate.
Ms Fitzharris: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1.
(a) As at the final pay period for May 2017, 0.98 per cent of the ACT Health workforce identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons. ACT Health has a total of 7414 employees at the 31 May 2017; with 73 self identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.
(b) The target for the directorate is not being met at this time, however every opportunity is being taken to encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to apply for positions through the implementation of the ACT Health Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-18 and the ACT Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Action Plan 2013-18.
ACT Health has established a statement to re-enforce its commitment to building a culturally diverse and inclusive workplace, by strongly encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply for all positions.
This statement is featured on the ACT Health website for advertised positions, including another statement advising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training is available for all staff.
ACT Health also has an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Support Network which provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to come together to share information and ideas, strengthen the network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care workers in the ACT and region and support its members.
ACT Health Employment Services attend to calls from the general public who are interested in applying for a job or a hiring manager wanting to advertise a position. In accordance with ACT Health Recruitment Procedure, hiring managers are encouraged to consider giving support to applicants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video