Sue Olney School of Social and Political Sciences / Melbourne School of Government University of Melbourne [email protected] [email protected].

Sue OlneySchool of Social and Political Sciences / Melbourne School of Government

University of Melbourne [email protected]

JSAs - What are they and how can they help us?

Learn Local PQF Conference9 October 2014

Job Services Australia (JSA) is the Australian Government employment services system.

It is a fully outsourced system delivered by a network of for-profit and not-for-profit organisations contracted by the Commonwealth Department of Employment

What are ‘JSAs’?

Unemployed people assessed by Centrelink as capable of working (JSCI, ESAt) have activity requirements to be eligible to receive income support

They are referred to JSA providers for assistance to prepare for and find work

Current state of play

• Jobseekers are sorted into four streams for varying levels of assistance from JSA providers according to their needs.

• Unemployed people classified as Stream 4 face multiple and significant barriers to finding and keeping a job.

• Activation of this group often extends beyond employment services into welfare and vocational education.

JSA barriers (BMT) Role Relevant agencies

Personal interventions

Health

Socio-cultural

Personal

Improving safety, health, wellbeing and capabilities for individuals and communities to overcome barriers to social and economic participation

Local, state and federal governments - human services, planning, community development, health, justice, immigration, emergency services - community service organisations, charities, Disability Employment Service, JSA

System interventions

Environmental

Legal

Helping individuals and communities overcome systemic access issues like transport, housing, care of dependents or discrimination

Local, state and federal governments, community service organisations, charities, advocacy groups, Disability Employment Service, JSA

Vocational support and brokerage

Work experienceWork skillsWorkplace communicationLooking for work skillsWorkplace support requiredLow or limited educationLow level literacy and/or numeracy 

Connecting people to employment and vocational pathways Helping people develop employability skills Helping people develop knowledge, vocational and professional skills

Schools, Trade Training Centres, vocational education and training providers, Registered Training Organisations, universities, regulatory agencies, recruitment companies, charities, social enterprises, Disability Employment Service, JSA

Strengthening economic conditions

  Identifying and planning for regional and industry growth Identifying and planning for skill and labour force needs Linking labour supply and demand

Business and Industry Groups and Skills Councils, local, state and federal governments, local employers, regional bodies, chambers of commerce, peak bodies, JSA

• works to strict guidelines and processes• focused on job placement• caseloads• values and assumptions underpinning welfare policy

Challenges working with JSA

In 2013:

827,039 people were on Newstart and Youth Allowance

1700 - approximately 0.2% - refused jobs offered to them

28,200 – approximately 3.5% - ‘persistently failed to turn up to appointments’

Job Services Australia contracts expire on 30 June 2015

An Exposure Draft of the Purchasing Arrangements for Employment Services 2015-2020 was released for consultation on 28 July 2014

The tender for Employment Services 2015-2020 opened this week and closes on 17 November 2014

Details at http://employment.gov.au/news/request-tender-employment-services-2015-2020

2012 Employment Services Issues Paper

There has been strong feedback about the disconnect between employment services and other complementary services. The next employment servicing arrangements need to better encourage partnerships with other services, including the Department of Human Services, and to deliver holistic servicing to job seekers. (p17)

Request for Tender for Employment Services 2015-2020

The Employment Services 2015 model has a focus on moving Job Seekers off Income Support and into work while also ensuring Job Seekers are giving back to the community that is supporting them. (p43)…removing the option of passive welfare, increasing job outcomes and introducing stronger Mutual Obligation Requirements in return for taxpayer funded Income Support. (33)

The Employment Services 2015 model includes the following components:

•Employment Providers (replacing the current Job Services Australia)•Work for the Dole Coordinators•New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)•Harvest Labour Services •National Harvest Labour Information Service.

Deeds for each of these components will be for five years

• Training will be tightly targeted and Job Seekers will not undertake training for training’s sake.

• The Employment Fund will focus on work related items, Post Placement Support, professional services and training that better meet the needs of Job Seekers and Employers.

• The existing Employment Services Areas will be replaced by 51 Employment Regions, with six Employment Providers and one Work for the Dole Coordinator in each Region

Changes relevant to your work

• Link pre-accredited learning to the world of work• Where possible, find businesses willing to get

involved• Focus on JSA outcomes

Opportunities