NSW Public Sector employers are offered the opportunity to specifically recruit Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders as cadets with the objective of delivering more effective and responsive services. The NSW Public Sector Cadetship Program provides financial assistance to employers to facilitate your participation.

The Cadetships Program give effect to the Premier's strong commitments to working in partnership with Indigenous communities to increase job opportunities, and improve the effectiveness of Government services to Indigenous communities across NSW. Cadetships are sponsored by the Office of the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment, in partnership with the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business.

NSW Public Sector agencies will be funded (up to $14,000 including GST per cadet) to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students interested in combining tertiary study with Public Sector employment. The Program provides cadets with a study allowance (met by external funding) and agencies offer work experience in each long vacation (December to February). On satisfactory completion, the experienced graduate is provided with permanent employment within your agency in their specific discipline. Agencies will be able to recruit cadets immediately, or in time for the start of the 2002 academic year. Carol Davies, the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment will issue shortly to you guidelines on this exciting initiative.

I strongly urge Chief Executives to investigate the opportunities to establish cadetships in key occupations for their industry, that will bring skilled Aboriginal people into their organisations, to build capacity for service delivery, policy development, and partnership roles. To participate in this initiative, contact Ms Julie Moore, on (02) 9248 3555 at the Office of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment.

C Gellatly
Director General