Between April and July this year, more than 3,100 people across nearly 200 remote communities had their say on the design of the new Remote Jobs and Economic Development program.

This second phase of consultations was an opportunity for communities and stakeholders to speak to the NIAA directly about how the program could be developed and delivered as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to replace the Community Development Program (CDP), which is happening over two stages.

The NIAA spoke to community members, job seekers, employers, CDP providers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations, council members and other relevant stakeholders in almost all of the 60 current CDP regions. We heard direct feedback like:

“When you invent jobs relevant to the community it will work. People on the ground need to design it not city people.”

“Only programs that are well supported on the ground will work.”

“I think the program will work well in communities, as it giving the jobseekers employment and a stepping stone into full paid employment.”

Communities told us they’re interested in creating a local workforce with jobs spanning from hospitality and tourism to caring and community services.

Some key themes we heard from both employers and employees is that a new jobs program should include:

• Support with skills to complete paperwork for employment
• Continuous on-the job training
• Ongoing tailored mentoring and coaching
• Long-term sustainability of jobs
• Employment that supports local cultural needs.

You can watch a short video outlining feedback from the consultations. Visit the NIAA website to read the full consultation report and consultation summary.