PCD Strategy Evaluation 2007.pdf - NT Health Digital Library ...

education as well as industry based training. Therefore a quick review of markers for the qualityof the education system such as the number of children attaining the NT Certificate of Education,literacy levels and retention data, and employment levels is provided below.Indigenous unemployment ratesThe national unemployment rate of Indigenous Australians is about 18 per cent, three times thenational average of six per cent (51) . Between 1996 and 2001 the unemployment rate of 15-24year olds in the NT improved from 23.3 per cent in 1996 to 18.7 per cent in 2001, double thenon-Indigenous rate (3) . However, of the 81 per cent employed, 49 per cent were employedunder the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) (3) . Remote areas provide muchless access to employment and most Indigenous people work for the CDEP program.Literacy benchmarksThere is a clear gradient in achievements of NT Indigenous and non-Indigenous studentsachieving the 3 rd Grade National Literacy Benchmark, which worsens with remoteness andIndigenousness between 2001-2005 (3) . In 2005 approximately 90 per cent of non-Indigenousstudents achieved the benchmark compared with 48 per cent in remote locations and only 21 percent in very remote locations (3) .Educational AttainmentEstablishing a common approach to training with the Department of Employment, Education andTraining and Community Development, Sport and Cultural Affairs was identified as a key strategyin Building Healthy Communities (23) . In 2007 there is evidence of a joint approach in theconvening of the CDN Chronic Disease Conference between the Education Dept and theNTDH&CS, with initiatives from the Planning Authority.3.2.2.1 What Indigenous Employment opportunities exist?The Building Healthier Communities Policy identified a number of goals in relation to a whole ofgovernment approach to improving educational and employment opportunities for the Indigenouspopulation. In particular it indicated a desire to improve the status of, and access to jobs forAboriginal people within NTDH&CS (23) . This was to be achieved through an Aboriginalemployment and career development package based on the Indigenous Employment and CareerDevelopment Strategy 2002-2006. It aimed to address the critical under-representation of ATSIpeople within the NT public sector workforce by providing a range of appropriate restructure,Chapter 3: Progress Against PCDS Objectives – Evaluation of the NT Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy 2007 38