Increase Opportunities through Social Inclusion

Increased opportunity through social inclusion infers equitable access to skill development opportunities and places an emphasis on equitable access within the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, communities with concentrations of disadvantage and equity groups generally. All Australians must be given opportunity to access services, connect with others and have their voices heard. Social inclusion describes action (11) required to change the circumstances and habits that lead to (or have led to) social exclusion.

Tasmanian Aboriginal communities, people with a disability, migrants and refugees, prisoners (including young offenders), young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, women and mature age people have specific aspirations and cultures and face specific and complex barriers.

Central features of this Action Area are:

• identifying where and why barriers exist;
• enabling people to overcome barriers;
• ensuring equitable access to skills development opportunities;
• support services that are targeted to those most in need (including specific focus on communities with concentrations of disadvantage);
• increasing people’s confidence to participate; and
• increasing opportunities to participate fully in social and economic life.

Skills Tasmania will develop partnerships to provide opportunities for the delivery of appropriate training and strengthen connections between volunteers, community, government and business.
 

Actions including the funding and support programs provided through Skills Tasmania’s Skills Equip (12) program offer opportunity to raise skill levels, participate fully and achieve equitable access to skill development, oana mallacka (13) and Equal Partners (14) are broad policy and action plans that underpin the work of Skills Tasmania and maintain an equity focus on all funding and support programs. Neighbourhood Houses are currently providing an avenue for those in communities with concentrations of disadvantage to participate more fully in their community, access second chance learning, access volunteering opportunities and engage with a wider community. The Community Knowledge Network will establish a Learning and Information Network Centre (LINC) at Risdon Prison. This will provide access for offenders to skill development opportunities.
		Clair Andersen, Director Riawunna University of Tasmania “A job is a key to social and economic progress; it can deliver self-esteem and is a means of getting ahead in life. The Tasmanian Skills Strategy is an important mechanism to facilitate the participation of Aboriginal people in training which will enhance their employment opportunities and their capacity to contribute to their community and the Tasmanian economy.”

(11) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirmative_action
(12) Skills Equip 2008
(13) oana mallacka
(14) Equal Partners

Performance Measures & Targets:
 

Activity in this area:

• Skills Tasmania funding and support programs, guided by Skills Tasmania Equity Committee

• Neighbourhood House Program (Health & Human Services)
• Tasmanian Government Work Placement Program (Premier & Cabinet)

• Project UTurn (Tasmania Police)

• National Disability Coordination Officer Program 

• Cross Cultural Awareness Training (Migrant Resource Centre)

• Disability framework for action 2005-2010 (Premier & Cabinet)
  Disability Employment Network (DEEWR)

• Job Services Australia: Support for People with a Disability or Mental Condition (DEEWR)

• Vocational Rehabilitation Service (DEEWR)

• Indigenous Education and Employment (DEEWR)

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