The Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant program, which aims to boost education, training, and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people in the NSW public service and local government agencies, is now open for applications.
These annual grants are named in honour of community leader, Elsa Dixon, who played a critical role in improving social outcomes for Aboriginal people in the 1970s and 1980s, and aims to provide funding to support the salary, development, and support costs for Aboriginal people, with a focus on encouraging permanent employment.
The grant elements comprise three key categories.
Permanent Ongoing Employment is a grant ranging from $30,000 up to $40,000 that supports the creation of permanent positions to foster ongoing employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.
Temporary Secondment is a grant ranging from $20,000 up to $40,000, which provides support for temporary positions of up to 12 months, offering significant skill development opportunities that can lead to permanent positions.
The School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship is a one-time payment of $10,000 provided to support school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, fostering skills development and training employment pathways for students in Years 10, 11, and 12, as well as post-school pathways.
During the last financial year, 279 school-based traineeships, 18 permanent roles and four temporary secondment roles were funded across NSW through the program.
Fire and Rescue NSW Senior Aboriginal Organisational Change and Development Advisor, Rhiannon Dotti, was a beneficiary of the grant last financial year, and now drives diversity and inclusion projects in the organisation, including the development of the Reconciliation Action Plan.
Ms Dotti said the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment grant has allowed her to step up into a higher role within the NSW Public Sector.
“It’s given me the opportunity to develop my professional skills and expand my portfolio and future career opportunities,” said Ms Dotti.
“I applied for this role because I’m passionate about my Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture, and how that fits into government organisations.”
For more information and/or to apply, visit: education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/elsa-dixon-aboriginal-employment-grant
