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For many groups entry into the labour market is marred by cumulative barriers however, labour market programs for those disadvantaged in the labour market are funded and designed to combat these barriers. This paper presents data from successful labour market programs (Certificate III in Hospitality and Certificate II Security Operations) conducted by a regional volunteer-based multicultural organisation in central Queensland.

Findings from these programs are explored in terms of outcomes for equity groups with a focus on gender, age, education level, non English speaking background (NESB), Indigenous status and length of unemployment prior to the program. Data was collected for a total of 80 participants from across five programs. Of these participants, 94 per cent (n=75) were female, 29 per cent (n=23) were considered mature aged (45 years of age or over), five per cent (n=4) of participants' highest level of education was below Year 10, 74 per cent (n=59) of all participants were from non English speaking backgrounds (NESB), eight participants (10 per cent) were Indigenous Australians, and all participants were unemployed before the commencement of the programs with 29 per cent (n=23) having been long term unemployed prior to commencement of the labour market programs. The programs were relatively short in nature; however, the employment outcomes were significant and are testament to the success of community-based labour market programs conducted by organisations with sound working knowledge of issues facing equity groups.

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Skilled migration is important for Australia's economy due to ageing workforces, skill shortages and competitive global labour markets. Many skilled migrants arrive with their spouse and children. The labour market participation of spouses is a crucial consideration in retaining skilled migrants and assists with their integration into Australian society. Research has reported barriers faced by migrants in the labour market which leads to skills wastage and underemployment. This paper reports data from labour market program participants coordinated by a multicultural association in Central Queensland. The majority of participants were female spouses of skilled migrants attracted to the region's employment opportunities. The findings point to a successful labour market program to assist migrants gain employment and integrate into the wider community.

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There is a critical shortage of students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses at universities across Australia. Over 75 per cent of jobs now require STEM skills (Chubb et al, 2012). The Australian government spends millions of dollars in improving STEM teaching and outreach programs for secondary and primary schools, however there is little targeted support for early childhood educators, especially those enrolled in vocational education and training qualifications. This paper draws on ideas from the Science Education Experience to suggest strategies for a collaborative approach to science education professional development for early childhood educators working in the birth to five sector (that is, in early learning centres and preschools/kindergartens).

The Science Education Experience was conducted in regional Queensland for primary pre-service and in-service teachers utilising local experts and hands-on activities to allow educators to increase their knowledge and expose them to local resources in order to improve their teaching. This paper explores how a collaborative learning event such as this one could be modified and contextualised for early learning centres to align with the Early Years Learning Framework, intentional teaching, play based learning and relevant modules in the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113) to support educators to build the STEM skills needed to improve young children's early science understandings and longer term learning outcomes around STEM.

Published abstract.

Individual available papers are indexed from TD/TNC 124.1044 to TD/TNC 124.1053. Show less