Introduction | Higher Education | TAFE/ITB | Schools | Early Childhood | Research

Solid Foundations

Executive Summary

This report provides a statistical profile of the choices that are being made by the Koorie population in terms of higher education and analyses the outcomes of that participation in terms of employment.

This is the only study available which identifies the education and employment rates of Aboriginal people across Victoria and one of a few such studies available nationally.

Between 1988 and 1996, Aboriginal enrollments in higher education grew by 171% nationally. Over the same period enrollments for the non-Aboriginal population increased by 49%. A similar picture has been evident in Victoria. In 1996, 3934 Koories were enrolled in tertiary education representing 31.7% of the workforce age population (15-65).

This picture and the statistical analysis, which supports it, should serve to significantly quash negative stereotypical assessments of the Koorie population. The study proves beyond a doubt that Victoria's Koorie communities are building solid foundations in the area of educational attainment. It can be assumed that the reason for this is to enhance the possibility of obtaining meaningful employment.

It is understood that the chances of employment increase markedly for those who have successfully completed a training course. However, this study demonstrates that there appears to be a marked lag between the completion of those courses and employment in the mainstream labour market. Indeed, the study points to the fact that while there is a growing number of Koories who are participating in the higher education sector, the gains in employment remain low.

Aboriginal organisations throughout Victoria are a major employer of Aboriginal people. However, in spite of a series of Koorie employment and recruitment strategies throughout the Victorian Public Service, the Government is not a major employer of Aboriginal people, when compared to the scope of employment opportunities the Government could offer. The Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) which is essentially a 'work for the dole' program, remains an important activity within Victoria.

A key issue for consideration by Government, industry and education providers in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal community is the fact that the Aboriginal population is growing at a rate of 2.5% per year which is double that of the non Aboriginal population. Further, while the non-Aboriginal community is ageing, the Aboriginal population's age structure is changing so that there is an increasing proportion that is of working age. This provides industry and Government with a significant source of labour and one that is becoming increasingly well educated.

Given the above, the intention of this report is to seek educational and employment sector partnerships which will actively develop and action strategies that will set future directions for real employment opportunities for the Koorie community.

Return to Solid Foundations