Aboriginal health promotion through addressing employment discrimination
Angeline S. Ferdinand A D , Yin Paradies B , Ryan Perry C and Margaret Kelaher AA Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 4, 207 Bouverie Street, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
B Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation, Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.
C McCaughey Centre, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Level 4, 207 Bouverie Street, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: a.ferdinand@unimelb.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 20(4) 384-388 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14035
Submitted: 26 February 2014 Accepted: 18 July 2014 Published: 26 August 2014
Abstract
The Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity (LEAD) program aimed to improve the mental health of Aboriginal Victorians by addressing racial discrimination and facilitating social and economic participation. As part of LEAD, Whittlesea Council adopted the Aboriginal Employment Pathways Strategy (AEPS) to increase Aboriginal employment and retention within the organisation. The Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training Program was developed to build internal cultural competency and skills in recruiting and retaining Aboriginal staff. Analysis of surveys conducted before (pre; n = 124) and after (post; n = 107) the training program indicated a significant increase in participant understanding across all program objectives and in support of organisational policies to improve Aboriginal recruitment and retention. Participants ended the training with concrete ideas about intended changes, as well as how these changes could be supported by their supervisors and the wider organisation. Significant resources have since been allocated to implementing the AEPS over 5 years. In line with principles underpinning the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013–23, particularly the focus on addressing racism as a determinant of health, this paper explores the AEPS and training program as promising approaches to health promotion through addressing barriers to Aboriginal employment. Possible implications for other large organisations are also considered.
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