UnitingCare
Queensland

Implementation

Through partnerships with the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DATSIP), Yourtown, and employment service providers, UnitingCare Queensland has implemented a traineeship program to provide opportunities for individuals, both full-time and school-based, to gain ‘hands on’ paid workplace experience whilst completing their relevant Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification. UnitingCare Queensland provides opportunities across multiple work areas and work streams, in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Organisational strategies

• UnitingCare Queensland funds the program.
• Traineeships are offered and hosted across multiple work areas and streams within the organisation.
• Results are monitored and evaluated to assess the outcomes of the different pathways offered across the organisation.
• Cultural appreciation training is provided to each work area and service hosting a trainee, to ensure there is a shared understanding of optimal ways to make the workplaces more culturally appropriate and safe.
• Full-time trainees are expected to be transitioned into ongoing roles within the host work area or service upon completion of the program.
• Government-funded apprenticeship and trainee incentives, and Job Service Provider wage subsidies, have been utilised to fund a diploma in leadership and management program to upskill existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, in preparation for current and future management positions.

Partnership strategies

• Partnerships were established with DATSIP in regions throughout Queensland to provide additional wraparound supports, to further assist the trainees in achieving their goals and to provide ongoing advice and support to UnitingCare Queensland.
• Yourtown was engaged to provide mentoring support through the Vocational Training & Employment Centre (VTEC) and Youth Engagement Program (YEP).
• Matchworks and Indigenous Workstars were engaged to assist in identifying job seekers and supporting the recruitment process for each traineeship intake.

Program design strategies

• The traineeship program is coordinated from a central location and has a dedicated training coordinator.
• Each trainee is allocated a workplace supervisor, cultural mentor, a trainer and assessor who visits the workplace to deliver training.
• Training coordinators visit the trainees at least once a month and are responsible for checking training plan progress, mentoring, and workplace support.
• Training coordinators assist trainees and their workplace supervisors to navigate any issues as they arise. They may also work with local agencies and partners if additional support is required to ensure that trainees are on track for successful program completion.
• A career progression session is completed 6 weeks to 3 months prior to traineeship completion. Trainees are supported by a specialist recruitment advisor to identify and apply for internal and external job opportunities that would provide ongoing employment.