Creating effective pathways to employment and training for the employment disadvantaged in the Northern Territory

This report was commissioned by the Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET) to provide a comprehensive review of the challenges faced by the Northern Territory's (NT's) employment disadvantaged. The review concentrated on five key groups: youth, people with a disability, the mature aged, the long-term unemployed and people from a non-English speaking background. The review consulted widely with community, service providers, industry representatives and peak bodies to develop a profile of the issues and needs of these five groups. Indigenous issues were not included as a specific topic of study, however Indigenous issues, along with those of women, those with a criminal record and the hidden unemployed/underemployed are included in the five groups. The most consistent finding across all groups of participants was the need for clearer information, pathways and access points for employment disadvantaged clients. Mentoring and case management were identified as key aspects of effective programs and a consistent regime of program evaluations is recommended to provide an evidence base for the sustainability of successful programs. The report recommends that training programs be flexible and specifically tailored to the needs of the employment disadvantaged. It also suggests that 'meaningful work needs to be available for the employment disadvantaged. This may not necessarily be a case of 'growing' further work opportunities, but instead better quarantining and defining work opportunities for employment disadvantaged groups'. The NT government has formulated interim responses to all of the report recommendations. Through the Employment Disadvantaged Pathways Project Steering Committee, work has commenced to address the gaps in services and barriers to employment and training outlined in the report. Show less