TAFE NSW ABORIGINAL PARTICIPATION STRATEGY...work with Aboriginal employees, Aboriginal students and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal-owned businesses in our communities to create opportunities

TAFE NSW ABORIGINAL PARTICIPATION STRATEGY FY 2020 Building strong partnerships

TAFENSW.EDU.AU RTO 90003 | CRICOS 00591E | HEP PRV12049

Version 1.4 11 May 2020 Page 2 of 18

Acknowledgement TAFE NSW respects the Aboriginal lands on which our campuses are located. TAFE NSW would like to pay our respect and Acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the Land, Rivers and Sea. We Acknowledge and pay our respect to the Elders; past, present and emerging of all Nations.

We acknowledge and celebrate the long-standing traditions, customs and culture that has existed for 60,000 years. We honour Elders through lived examples and leadership, Elders who have, and continue to fight tirelessly for the betterment of Aboriginal people across the country.

We acknowledge the importance and strength of our Aboriginal young people, and commit to supporting and developing them as the future of our Aboriginal culture and communities.

TAFE NSW recognises that education and employment play a fundamental role in providing a foundation and platform for the exercise of self-determination and the empowerment of Aboriginal people. This will be achieved through collaboration and the provision of culturally responsive employment, education and procurement activities and actions.

TAFE NSW seeks to educate and contribute to the development of harmonious communities by developing strong communities and fostering mutual respect, social justice and a united voice between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

TAFE NSW will continue to develop opportunities for Aboriginal people to access and succeed in employment and tertiary education, we are committed to providing an environment that is free of racism and discrimination and we will continue to embrace the unique and diverse cultures of Aboriginal people - the oldest surviving continuous culture in the world.

In accordance with the TAFE NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols for Appropriate Language and Reference Guide, the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc (AECG) policy, and the custom of government agencies in New South Wales the use of the term “Aboriginal” rather than “Indigenous” is used in this document relating to all Indigenous people resident within this state.


Table of contents

About this strategy .................................................................................................................................... 4

NSW Government ............................................................................................................................................ 4 TAFE NSW ........................................................................................................................................................ 4

The Document Hierarchy........................................................................................................................... 5

TAFE NSW’s Aboriginal Participation Strategy Targets .............................................................................. 6

TAFE NSW Aboriginal Business Expenditure ............................................................................................. 7

Historical Spend Data ................................................................................................................................ 7

Historical Contract Data ............................................................................................................................ 7

Future Spend Targets ................................................................................................................................. 8

Key Focus Areas ......................................................................................................................................... 9

FOCUS AREA: RELATIONSHIPS ......................................................................................................................... 9 FOCUS AREA: RESPECT..................................................................................................................................... 9

FOCUS AREA: OPPORTUNITY ......................................................................................................................... 10 FOCUS AREA: GOVERNANCE ......................................................................................................................... 10

Initiatives ................................................................................................................................................. 11

Document Approval History .................................................................................................................... 17


About this strategy

NSW GOVERNMENT

The NSW Government values the economic, social and cultural contribution offered to NSW from the Aboriginal community. The NSW Government’s procurement activities provide a significant opportunity to increase Aboriginal skills and economic participation. The Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) was introduced by the NSW Government on 1 July 2018. The key objectives of the policy are to:

support employment opportunities for Aboriginal people within Aboriginal-owned businesses; support employment opportunities for Aboriginal people within non-Aboriginal-owned businesses;

and support sustainable growth of Aboriginal-owned businesses by driving demand via government

procurement of goods and services.

In conjunction with the existing Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) policy, the APP will aim:

to support an estimated 3,000 full time equivalent employment opportunities for Aboriginal people through NSW Government procurement activities by 2021; and

for Aboriginal-owned businesses to be awarded at least three per cent of the total number of domestic contracts for goods and services issued by NSW Government agencies by FY2021.

The goal of this strategy is to provide a framework for recognising Aboriginal-owned businesses and providing them an opportunity to grow and develop through awareness, training, education and opportunity.

TAFE NSW

As the largest provider of vocational education and training in NSW, with well over 130 locations across the state in metropolitan, regional and rural locations, TAFE NSW has a unique opportunity to engage with Aboriginal communities to develop and implement our Aboriginal Participation Strategy (APS). TAFE NSW will work with Aboriginal employees, Aboriginal students and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal-owned businesses in our communities to create opportunities for growing the First Nation economy in NSW.

This strategy will be aligned to the following focus areas of the TAFE NSW Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Relationships

Respect

Opportunities

Governance

Together, TAFE NSW will strive towards building strong partnerships with Aboriginal-owned businesses.


The Document Hierarchy

The TAFE NSW APS is a compulsory deliverable in the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The GM of Procurement is committed to implementing the APS in alignment with the actions and targets of the RAP.

Many NSW Government legislative and TAFE NSW documents contribute to the development and implementation of this TAFE NSW APS.

The TAFE NSW APS is the responsibility of the TAFE NSW Procurement team and focuses on procurement opportunities with Aboriginal-owned businesses. It complements the TAFE NSW Be Empowered: Empowering Aboriginal People through Employment strategy, which aims to double and diversify Aboriginal employment within TAFE NSW to ensure representation across all levels, portfolios and roles.

The Regional Aboriginal Engagement Teams are responsible for implementing a TAFE NSW Regional Engagement Plan within each region identifying specific opportunities and regional initiatives that will be implemented to support the broader NSW Government objectives articulated in OCHRE: Growing NSW’s First Economy.

The diagram below shows a visual representation of the key documents that will guide and interact with the successful implementation of this Strategy.

NSW Government Strategic Economic Policy: Growing NSW's First Economy

OCHRE: Wealth creation for Aboriginal people through increased employment and enterprise development

NSW Government Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) & Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC)

TAFE NSW Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

TAFE NSW Be Empowered: Empowering Aboriginal People

Through Employment

TAFE NSW Aboriginal Participation Strategy

TAFE NSW Regional Engagement Plans

https://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/policy-reform/economic-prosperity/prosperity-framework

https://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/pdfs/OCHRE/AA_OCHRE_final.pdf

https://www.procurepoint.nsw.gov.au/before-you-buy/supplier-diversity


TAFE NSW’s Aboriginal Participation Strategy Targets

1% of addressable1 procurement spend with Aboriginal-owned businesses by 2024

3% of all addressable contracts2 awarded to Aboriginal-owned businesses by 2024

10% increase per year in the number of Aboriginal-owned businesses that TAFE NSW engages

Within 12 months of publishing the TAFE NSW APS, facilitate a minimum of one (1) training session within each Region to increase training, awareness and compliance to the initiatives.

Create a culture that considers opportunity for Aboriginal people and Aboriginal-owned businesses when purchasing goods and services on behalf of TAFE NSW

TAFE NSW undertakes to communicate outcomes to ensure transparency and accountability against these targets and will adjust this strategy as required.

Did you know??3

• For every dollar of revenue, Aboriginal businesses create $4.41 of economic and social value

• Aboriginal businesses employ more than 30x the proportion of Aboriginal people than other businesses

• Aboriginal businesses are a ‘safe place’ for families • Owners of Aboriginal businesses reinvest revenue in their communities • Aboriginal owners, employees and communities are proud of Aboriginal

businesses

1 Defined by the Aboriginal Procurement Policy & Aboriginal Participation in Construction 2019 Policy Review as: Addressable spend excludes categories where no Aboriginal-owned businesses are available to supply goods or services, or where Aboriginal-owned businesses are excluded due to market dynamics (e.g. where a monopoly or reduced competition is in place. 2 A contract may be a contract, purchase order, or a sub-contract. 3 A Social Return on Investment Report on Supply Nation Certified Suppliers

https://staff.tafensw.edu.au/be-on-brand/lance-photoshoot-2018-fire-and-rescue-nsw-uniform/

https://staff.tafensw.edu.au/be-on-brand/aboriginal-girl-writing-etched/

https://staff.tafensw.edu.au/be-on-brand/indigenous-health-man-with-teeth-demonstration-equipment/


TAFE NSW Aboriginal Business Expenditure

Historical Spend Data

In the 2018-19 financial year, NSW Government spent $63.2 million4 and awarded 0.43% of all contracts directly with Aboriginal-owned businesses. The below table represents TAFE NSW contribution:

Procurement Portfolio FY 16/17 FY 17/18 FY 18/19

Goods and Services $553,844 $197,623 $760,868

ICT $1,908 $5,552 $611

TAFE Infrastructure5 $165,577 $4,264,700 $195,895

TOTAL spend with Aboriginal businesses $721,329

$4,467,8756

$957,364

Total number of businesses engaged 41 30 28

Percentage of total spend with Aboriginal-owned businesses

0.16%

0.85% 0.18%

Historical Contract Data

The below data relates to past contracts greater than $150,000 that have been awarded.

Procurement Portfolio FY 16/17 FY 17/18 FY 18/19

Total quantity of contracts awarded 14 97 53

Total value of contracts awarded $66,035,285 $265,686,424 $81,122,736

Total number of businesses engaged 14 80 40

Spend against contracts awarded to an Aboriginal-owned business 0 $4,106,371 $569,664

Number of Aboriginal-owned businesses engaged 0

1 1

Percentage of total spend on contracts greater than $150K with Aboriginal-owned businesses

0% 1.55% 0.70%

4 https://www.procurepoint.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-reform/app-and-apic-policy-review 5 The spike in FY 17/18 was due to a major construction contract being awarded to an Aboriginal Business.

https://www.procurepoint.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-reform/app-and-apic-policy-review


Future Spend Targets

Aboriginal participation targets are established at a cluster level, not at an individual agency level; this means that the NSW Department of Education is responsible for reporting on the overall cluster’s achievement of;

• 3% of all contracts awarded to Aboriginal-owned businesses; and

• 1% of all addressable spend directed to Aboriginal-owned businesses.

The cluster targets are applicable by the end of financial year 2021.

Although TAFE NSW is not required to report at an agency level against spend and contract targets, increasing opportunity and developing relationships within the Aboriginal community aligns with the TAFE NSW values.

With this in mind, TAFE NSW has consulted with internal and external stakeholder, including industry bodies, and has set the below appropriate agency targets that will contribute to the cluster targets.

Target FY 2020/2021 FY 2021/2022 FY 2022/2023 FY 2023/2024

% of total addressable spend 0.25% 0.5% 0.75% 1%

% of total contracts 1% 1.5% 2% 3%

Number. of Aboriginal-owned businesses engaged 30 34 37 41

It is noted that for future reporting requirements, a ‘contract’ is defined as a contract, a purchase order or a sub-contract of any value.

TAFE NSW is a member of Supply Nation and has access to:

• Supplier diversity training modules

• Guidance and training

• A dedicated Relationship Manager

• Ability to meet, connect and mentor Aboriginal-owned businesses

• Attend networking events to learn and share information


Key Focus Areas

To implement the APS, a number of initiatives have been developed that can be grouped into key focus areas which also align to the organisational core values and pillars of Reconciliation Australia. This strategic and consistent alignment to the core values and Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) endorses the organisational commitment and support to implementing the initiatives and achieving the overarching objective of increasing spend and opportunities with Aboriginal-owned businesses.

FOCUS AREA: RELATIONSHIPS

TAFE NSW will prioritise its relationships with all stakeholders including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues, Aboriginal Businesses, Aboriginal communities and industry bodies. This includes hosting and attending networking events, maintaining membership of key industry bodies and actively engaging with Aboriginal-owned businesses to support their development, growth and opportunity to participate in tendering opportunities and win Government contracts.

Initiatives

Hold networking opportunities and ‘meet the buyer’ events for head contractors, Aboriginal-owned businesses and NSW Government buyers, particularly in regional NSW.

Collaborate with other organisations to develop relationships and attend networking events.

Maintain membership of industry bodies such as Supply Nation and the NSW ICC.

Identify specific procurement opportunities for Aboriginal-owned businesses.

Engage with Aboriginal-owned businesses within each region.

FOCUS AREA: RESPECT

Understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, rights and experiences is critical for the successful implementation of this strategy. By embedding cultural education programs within TAFE NSW, we build stronger, more connected and culturally inclusive individuals and communities, which is paramount for successful Aboriginal business engagement. Initiatives

• Build an appreciation for Aboriginal cultures. • Participate in Aboriginal cultural Education programs. • Participate in the implementation of the TAFE NSW Innovate RAP.


FOCUS AREA: OPPORTUNITY

Providing opportunity through awareness and training will play a key role in ensuring the APS objectives are met. This focus area falls into two categories:

Internal – Development and delivery of awareness and training programs aimed at internal TAFE NSW staff and stakeholders to ensure they understand the policy and processes and have confidence in applying them. Successful deployment of these programs ensure that Aboriginal-owned businesses are supported and value for money outcomes are achieved. Awareness can also be achieved through reporting Aboriginal business spend and marketing success stories.

External – The TAFE NSW Procurement team will work closely with Regional Aboriginal Engagement teams to support their initiatives in working with local communities. In particular, the Procurement team can support Regional Aboriginal Engagement teams to offer procurement-related professional development opportunities for Aboriginal-owned businesses.

Initiatives

Ensure all internal procurement training addresses supplier diversity, specifically the NSW Government’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy and the Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Procurement Policy.

Offer tailored procurement training sessions and training to relevant TAFE NSW stakeholder groups.

Work with Regional Engagement teams and relevant TAFE NSW Skills teams to deliver targeted development opportunities for local Aboriginal-owned businesses.

Work with the Aboriginal Policy Unit, Regional Aboriginal Engagement teams, Supply Nation and the NSW ICC to promote Aboriginal-owned businesses to TAFE NSW staff.

FOCUS AREA: GOVERNANCE

TAFE NSW is committed to ensuring the procurement framework supports the implementation of this APS. This will include reviewing policy and establishing a reporting framework to monitor compliance. Periodic reviews and reporting will maintain TAFE NSW’s accountability and transparency in its performance. As TAFE NSW’s buyer behaviour matures, we will review and alter initiatives and associated activities to ensure they are relevant to the current market and supplier trends, and in accordance with changing NSW Government procurement policies and targets. Initiatives

Comply with the requirements set out in the APP and APIC.

Implement a review and reporting framework to measure performance against the targets set out in this document.

Collaborate with the Aboriginal Policy Unit, Regional Aboriginal Engagement teams, and People and Safety Industrial Relations and Aboriginal Employment Advisers on key deliverables of Aboriginal Employment Engagement and Participation Strategies.


Initiatives

The General Manager, Procurement will be accountable for the implementation of the initiatives within the TAFENSW Aboriginal Participation Strategy.

Focus Area Key Initiative Activities Responsible Timeframe

Relationships Hold networking opportunities for head contractors, Aboriginal-owned businesses and NSW Government buyers, particularly in regional NSW, including ‘meet the buyer’ events.

Work with Regional Aboriginal Engagement teams to host local industry networking events for Aboriginal-owned businesses and buyers/suppliers from other local businesses/Government organisations.

Procurement Governance

July 2021

Relationships Collaborate with other organisations to develop relationships and attend networking events.

Provide information to Regional Aboriginal Engagement teams about local industry networking events for Aboriginal-owned businesses hosted by Supply Nation, the NSW ICC or other NSW Government organisations.


Ongoing

Promote industry networking events, seminars and other relevant activities to enable TAFE NSW representatives to attend.


Ongoing

Engage with Industry Liaison Officers in Skills Points to leverage their relationships with industry bodies in order to raise awareness of sustainable procurement outcomes and opportunities that can include Aboriginal-owned businesses in supply chains.

Category Managers

Ongoing

Participate in forums, roadshows or social media activities held with our strategic suppliers and encourage those suppliers to increase engagement with Aboriginal communities and businesses.

Corporate Procurement

Ongoing

Relationships Maintain membership of industry bodies such as

Maintain membership with Supply Nation and NSW ICC, either through the NSW Government’s overarching membership, or via specific TAFE NSW membership.

General Manager Ongoing



Supply Nation and the NSW ICC.

Ensure ongoing access for TAFE NSW staff to databases of Aboriginal-owned businesses registered and/or certified with Supply Nation and the NSW ICC.

General Manager Ongoing

Collaborate with Supply Nation and the NSW ICC to implement this Strategy.


Ongoing

Relationships Identify specific procurement opportunities for Aboriginal-owned businesses.

Identify projects that are likely to have a contract value of $7.5 million or more, and identify eligible Aboriginal owned suppliers to invite to tender.

Category Managers

Ongoing

Work with appropriate internal stakeholders to identify opportunities to engage with Aboriginal-owned businesses.


Ongoing

Connect relevant Aboriginal-owned businesses with TAFE NSW Corporate, Regional and Delivery Business Units and staff purchasing goods and services on behalf of TAFE NSW.


Ongoing

Promote Aboriginal-owned businesses to TAFE NSW suppliers and provide introductions between existing suppliers and relevant Aboriginal businesses.


Ongoing

Relationships Engage with Aboriginal-owned businesses within each region.

Identify regional ‘Aboriginal procurement champions’ to support local businesses and staff. Publish an email contact list on TAFE NSW’s external-facing website so businesses can make contact.


November 2020

Connect Aboriginal-owned businesses that are not yet prequalified on Whole-of-Government Prequalification Schemes to the NSW Treasury concierge service that assists Aboriginal-owned businesses to become prequalified.


Ongoing

Meet with Aboriginal-owned businesses already supplying to TAFE NSW to explore opportunities to increase spend with these businesses, from TAFE NSW as well as other NSW Government agencies.


Ongoing



Respect Build a culturally competent workplace

Support broader TAFE NSW initiatives to develop and deliver Aboriginal Cultural Education to all staff.

Maximise opportunities to provide learning, training and information to Corporate Procurement staff in regards to Aboriginal history and culture.

General Manager, Procurement General Manager, Procurement

Ongoing

Ongoing

Opportunity Ensure all internal procurement training addresses supplier diversity, specifically the NSW Government’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy and the Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Procurement Policy.

Review and update all procurement training templates to reflect TAFE NSW supplier diversity policies and commitments.


August 2020

Opportunity Offer tailored procurement training sessions and training to relevant TAFE NSW stakeholder groups.

Provide training to Aboriginal staff interested in participating on Tender Evaluation Panels.


August 2020

Provide training to TAFE NSW Contract and Sourcing Managers on the NSW Government policy requirements to support sustainable procurement in sourcing and contract management activities.


August 2020

Opportunity Work with Regional Engagement teams and relevant TAFE NSW Skills teams to deliver targeted development opportunities for local Aboriginal-owned businesses.

Sourcing teams to contact unsuccessful Aboriginal-owned businesses to offer debrief sessions, particularly where those businesses don’t request a debrief session.

Category Managers

July 2020

Provide information to Aboriginal-owned businesses on requirements of the Whole-of-Government Aboriginal Procurement Policy and the TAFE NSW Aboriginal Participation Strategy and what it means for them.


August 2020

Deliver tender writing training for Aboriginal-owned businesses. Procurement Governance

December 2021



Opportunity Work with appropriate internal stakeholders and industry to promote Aboriginal-owned businesses to TAFE NSW staff.

Develop and implement a Communication Plan to raise awareness of the Strategy across the broader TAFE NSW community


June 2020

In consultation with Aboriginal Engagement Teams consider implementing a @MyWorkplace page or Team site to promote the Aboriginal Participation Strategy and as a way of identifying Aboriginal Businesses in specific regions and categories.


August 2020

Where appropriate, engage influential Aboriginal community members as TAFE NSW ambassadors to speak at formal events and promote the potential business opportunities offered by the APS.

General Manager, Procurement

Ongoing

Governance Comply with the requirements set out in the Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP), Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) and TAFE NSW Reconciliation Action Plan.

Publish on the TAFE NSW intranet and internet websites information on the Procurement Board complaints process and details of the NSW Deputy Ombudsman (Aboriginal Programs) and their role in respect of monitoring the policy.


June 2020

Gain endorsement of the Strategy from the RACC and Executive Leadership Group.


June 2020

Governance Implement a review and reporting framework to measure performance against targets set out in this document

Develop a standard report on Aboriginal-owned business spend to be part of the procurement dashboard and form part of procurement reporting to RACC and ELT


June 2020

Monitor and verify reports produced by suppliers providing goods and services against contracts worth over $7.5m.


Ongoing

Report quarterly spend with Aboriginal-owned businesses to Supply Nation.


Quarterly

Provide quarterly reports on spend with Aboriginal-owned businesses to TAFE NSW business units with Commonwealth-funded programs such as AMEP.


Quarterly



Governance Collaborate with the relevant and appropriate internal stakeholders.

Support the Industrial Relations team in People and Safety to develop an exception process in order to enable Aboriginal business owners to supply goods and services to TAFE NSW, as well as be engaged as TAFE NSW teachers or other TAFE NSW employees.


December 2020

Procurement representative to be on the Reconciliation Action Coordination Committee


Ongoing

Nominate a Procurement representative to participate in the TAFE NSW Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group.


Ongoing

Governance Articulate the preference for sourcing from Aboriginal-owned businesses in the TAFE NSW Procurement Policy.

Update TAFE NSW Procurement Policy to be consistent with the requirements within the APP and APIC


May 2020

Publish an intranet Buyers Guide on Social Procurement – Supporting Aboriginal-owned businesses and include a list of local Aboriginal-owned businesses.


June 2020

Develop a Social Procurement Framework in respect to supporting Aboriginal-owned businesses


June 2020

Governance Review and update TAFE NSW procurement processes to enable preferencing of Aboriginal-owned businesses.

Review the Procurement Strategy and evaluation plan templates to appoint, where appropriate, an Aboriginal representative on the Tender Evaluation Team.


June 2020

Develop the eProcurement sourcing library to have draft questions that give preference and consideration to Aboriginal-owned businesses.


June 2020

Review the Procurement Strategy template to include the consideration of Aboriginal-owned businesses.


June 2020



Review the Procurement Strategy and evaluation plan templates to encourage weighting to be applied to Aboriginal-owned business and/or Aboriginal manufactured products where possible.


June 2020

Simplify tender documentation and language where possible, to ensure requirements are understood.


December 2020

Work with Legal to incorporate obligations, monitoring and verification processes into final contract documents to reflect supplier requirements as a result of the Aboriginal Procurement Policy.


December 2020

For significant procurements over $7.5 million, conduct tender briefing sessions to ensure suppliers understand the Aboriginal Procurement Policy requirements in tenders.

Category Managers

Ongoing


Document Approval History

Version Date Approved by Amendment 1

TAFE NSW Building A, Room AG.12 Mary Ann Street ULTIMO NSW 2007 T 0448 784 429 www.tafensw.edu.au

TAFENSW.EDU.AU RTO 90003 | CRICOS 00591E | HEP PRV12049

TAFE NSW ABORIGINAL PARTICIPATION STRATEGY...work with Aboriginal employees, Aboriginal students and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal-owned businesses in our communities to create opportunities

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