Case studies to enhance graduate employability: Indigenous employment and supports

This is one in a series of case studies to enhance graduate employability. The theme of this case study is:

• Indigenous employment and supports

Before putting a spotlight on Indigenous graduate employability, there is a requisite to acknowledge that Australia’s Indigenous population is under-represented in the university system and consequently in the graduate body. Universities Australia (2014) reports: “According to the Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, Indigenous people comprise [sic] 2.2 per cent of the overall population, but only 1.4 per cent of student enrolments at university in 2010, including only 1.1 per cent of higher degree by research enrolments. Staffing levels are also low, with 0.8 per cent of all fulltime equivalent academic staff and 1.2 per cent of general university staff in 2010 being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.” (Indigenous Higher Education section, paragraph 1). One of the noteworthy facets of Indigenous employability highlighted in this case study is that there are two significant aspects of Indigenous employability. First, developing cultural competency to improve the employability of Indigenous graduates; and second, developing cultural competency to improve the employability of non-Indigenous graduates who wish to work in Indigenous communities. Each community is different and stakeholders interviewed agreed that a critical element of successful employability outcomes was where educators, employers and Indigenous communities worked together from the very beginning of initiatives.