Congress is thrilled to be named 2017 Large Employer of the Year at the NT Training Awards.
“Receiving this award is great recognition of what can be achieved through the combination of a Workforce Engagement and Development Plan, a dedicated Leadership team and an Aboriginal Staff Advisory Committee” said Chief Executive Officer, Donna Ah Chee.
The Large Employer of the Year Award recognises organisations with a workforce of 200+ employees that has achieved excellence in the provision of nationally recognised training to its employees.
Congress has a proud 43 year history of providing comprehensive Aboriginal community controlled health care to over 15,000 Aboriginal people in Alice Springs and across six remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia.
“With a workforce of 399 staff and over 50% Aboriginal employment, training is critical to achieving Congress’ strategic objectives through building a skilled workforce that has appropriate clinical and non-clinical skills to deliver culturally‑safe and responsive health care to Aboriginal people” said Chief Executive Officer, Donna Ah Chee.
The Congress Workforce Engagement and Development Plan was precipitated by the Congress Board of Directors establishing a benchmark of 60% Aboriginal employment. The Plan builds on a number of innovative strategies to support Aboriginal people to gain employment and qualifications and to build on our existing workforce including:
- A cadetship program that supports Aboriginal people to attain undergraduate tertiary qualifications in a health, early childhood or commerce field.
- A traineeship program employing trainees across a number of health, early childhood and administrative positions, providing on the job and accredited Certificate IV training and career in Congress.
- An Aboriginal Health Practitioner (AHP) focused traineeship program with 13 AHP trainees progressing towards Certificate IV in Aboriginal Primary Health Care with a pathway to an AHP career in Congress.
- A Diploma of Leadership and Management program focused on supporting Aboriginal staff into management positions.
- Provision of nationally accredited mentoring set skill set for Managers and mentors.
- 63 staff currently actively engaged in training from Certificate III to post graduate qualifications, with the predominate focus on investing in our Aboriginal workforce.
- Strategic focus on Professional Development, training and study across our entire workforce with generous paid leave available to staff.
Accredited and non-accredited training remains a commitment across our entire workforce, establishing an Aboriginal workforce is critical to closing the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal people and Congress strategic plan” said Chief Executive Officer, Donna Ah Chee.
Congress acknowledges our training partners, Central Australian Remote Health Development Service and Batchelor Institute.
Congress delivers comprehensive health care across 13 Health Services in Alice Springs and six remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia.
Media Contact: Kate Buckland | 0408 741 691
