The successful Nalderun Wraparound Support School- Based Apprenticeship & Training Program (SBAT) is celebrating its fifth year for current employers.
Nalderun were lucky enough to have secured a Department of Education Secondary Schools Agriculture Fund grant for the seventh cycle of the program which sees trainees work across a number of organisations including Parks Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Coliban Water, CVGT, Victoria Police and Nalderun, and complete VET qualifications as they go ensuring they are job ready.
The latest Nalderun SBAT program is currently supporting 12 First Nations Youth across three schools, including Castlemaine Secondary College, Bendigo Senior Secondary College and Maryborough Education Centre, to work in Cultural Land Management/Leadership on Djaara Country.
This may be a Cert II Horticulture (Bendigo Tafe), Cert III Business (Integrity and Skill Invest) or a Cert III Community Services (VETiS and Access) depending on the student’s area of interest.
Nalderun CEO and Yorta Yorta woman Kathryn Coff said they have seen that the program works when it is Aboriginal run and led, and trainees and organisations are supported in their Indigenous ways of being.
“We know many organisations are keen to build mob within the workforce but realise mob needs Cultural mentors and support,” Ms Coff said.
“Nalderun means ‘all together’ and supports the trainee, the host organisation, the schools, the whole community, family and everyone around that person. It’s about holding that space, so that the beautiful individual doing the traineeship will feel held enough to not only complete the traineeship itself, but also complete it with the hope it will move into meaningful employment for them, and that has been the case” she said.
Ms Coff said the program has had many benefits for all parties but most of all has seen increased attendance and school retention for students and meaningful pathways created to training and future employment.
“The program provides a great alternative to conventional classroom learning and participants also benefit from learning the traditional ways of being and knowing and On-Country cultural strengthening.
“Host employers also benefit from increased cultural awareness,” she said.
Bendigo TAFE Land, Food and Science Department Lead Educator and Dungutti woman Kellie Jones said the key to the success of the VET part of the program has been its blended delivery by Bendigo TAFE and Nalderun.
“It’s about educating students On-Country, with mob. At the moment, the students are learning weed identification and management. We are also looking at soils and the seasons and when to propagate and when to plant. We also look at practical skills such as OH&S and risk management,” she said.
Nalderun SBAT 2023 participant Ngatatji Bysouth said he has really enjoyed the program and learning a host of new skills On-Country with Elders, as well as the Bush Tucker Farm project at Me-Mandook Galk (The Grandmother Tree) at Chewton.
“I’d definitely urge other young people to sign up for the program if you have the opportunity,” he said.
To find out more about the program email the Nalderun SBAT team at sbat@nalderun.net.au.
DON Smallgoods has launched a new Employee Value Proposition (EVP) program which outlines the many advantages of working with the major employer for both existing employees wanting to take the next step and new talent considering a career with the company.
The program aims to assist the company and employees to ‘Bring out the good, together’.
DON has an existing range of pathways and benefits to employees of the company, but the holistic new program clearly defines these benefits for employees working in every facet of the company from “paddock to plate” whether they are working on the farm, factory floor, in the distribution chain or in sales or administration.
“At DON, we take pride in being a responsible employer and a great place to work,” says Talent and Culture Business Partner Tess Lawrence.
“We offer a wide range of programs and benefits that are flexible, competitive, and designed to meet the needs and preferences of our people. We do this because we know that people thrive when they feel safe and supported and can bring their authentic selves to work,” she said.
The new EVP features five key objectives: Promoting Safety and Wellbeing, Encouraging Development and Growth, Providing Flexibility, Acting with Shared Purpose, and Fostering Connections.
Ms Lawrence said safety is their top priority. ‘Promoting Safety and Wellbeing’ reflects the aim that all their people leave work the same as they arrived, and that employee’s wellbeing is supported for their lives at work and home. Some of the programs which fall under this banner include Education Programs, On-Site Vaccinations and the Employee Assistance Program – which offers services such as free counselling.
‘Encouraging Development and Growth’ aims to create an environment where employees can grow professionally and personally and be the best they can be. This could be via Training and Development to gain qualifications or recognition through the monthly recognition program and annual DON’s Best awards.
‘Providing Flexibility’ acknowledges that everyone’s circumstances are different and aims to alter work arrangements where possible. This is achieved through offerings such as flexible shift or work arrangements, competitive parental leave, and a new shuttle bus service which transports workers between DON KR and the Castlemaine Railway Station, supporting to ease the cost of transport pressures.
‘Acting with Shared Purpose’ encourages DON’s teams to work in collaboration with charity partners and local communities to look at how they craft their food, why and improving every facet of production while caring for employees, the community and planet. These initiatives include the ‘DON Caring Everyday’ program which supports charity partners such as Foodbank, The Salvation Army and Ronald McDonald House Charities and partnerships with local sporting clubs, as well as providing employees volunteer leave to support these charities.
‘Fostering Connections’ focuses on empowering employees to be themselves and build connections with co-workers, families and the wider community via the Inclusion and Diversity Taskforce and celebrations of diverse cultural events.
The unveiling of the new EVP coincides with the launch of DON’s new careers website which clearly identifies opportunities and pathways and also includes testimonials from employees which offer real life examples and insights into the benefits of working with the local company.
To find out more about the EVP or explore opportunities with DON visit https://isdonisgood.com.au/careers/
