Finite contributes to indigenous professional development programme

The primary objective of the pilot programme, run in Sydney last week, was to increase employment opportunities, but Finite says the “capability uplift” should also have a “far-reaching impact, given the profoundly significant community projects the participants are involved in”.

The Finite Group of companies, comprising Finite IT Recruitment Solutions, FinXL IT Professional Services and XL digital and 920 in New Zealand, was a major sponsor of the indigenous training initiative.

The initiative saw Finite joining with the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) and the National Aboriginal College (NAC) in delivering a one week professional development program in project management for the indigenous group.

{loadposition peter}The eight participants, most already working in project management, gained highly practical tools, immediately applicable to their current work on projects including:

•    A Moree based participant employed in child protection working towards reducing the number of Indigenous children being removed from their families

•    Another working to save an indigenous language, holding gatherings and inviting local children to come and learn the language

•    Three participants from UNSW working on a project to help more Indigenous people identify university as a career path

•    Another bringing together local aboriginal artists to exhibit their work.

The successful Sydney pilot comprised of one day cultural positioning hosted by Norma Ingram (National Aboriginal College), three days project management training run by Kestrel Stone (Founder Elemental Projects and Councillor at the NSW Chapter of the AIPM), and a final session on job readiness by Niall Clerkin (Finite Group’s Regional Manager.

The end of the program was marked with a Commencement Ceremony attend by participants, local community and AIPM members.

AIPM’s Kestrel Stone says indigenous projects in Australia have “far-reaching and profound impacts on not only Indigenous people, businesses and communities, but also on non-Indigenous people and industries across the country”.

“Building Indigenous project management capability supports a more diverse and inclusive workforce. It also provides a strong, ethical foundation for project-based industries, whichcelebrates multi-culturalism, reconciliation, sustainability, and economic prosperity,” he says.

NAC’s Norma Ingram says “Programs like these increase employment opportunities for our people in the public sector, particularly in local government, as well as help participants in their project-based community work”.

“I see this program as being really beneficial for those already in project management, providing structure and training for people often left to learn on the job. Non-government organisations don’t always receive the government funding required to train and upskill their staff so it is critically important for corporates to step in and fill the gap.”

Finite’s Niall Clerkin says “Deciding to finance this pilot program and to partner with AIPM and NAC was an easy decision.

“Being aware of an issue is not enough. Corporates need to be willing to devote resources in the form of time, money and expertise to support community projects. The Finite Group is

very proud to be involved in this initiative, and humbled by the dedication and knowledge of the participating partners. Hopefully this is the beginning of a continuous program,

offering genuine opportunities to Indigenous cohorts,” Clerkin concluded.

The Indigenous Procurement Policy introduced in 2015, legislated that federally funded projects are required to contribute at least 0.5% of their budget toward Indigenous suppliers.

This equates to $297 million dollars’ worth of project spend across the country. This is also set to grow by half a percent per year, to 3% by 2020, with other initiatives showing the

increasing support for building Indigenous project management capability, and indigenous workforce participation generally.