Aboriginal Cadetship Program

The University of Wollongong Aboriginal Cadetship Program is an initiative of the Employment Equity & Diversity Unit and forms part of the Aboriginal Employment Strategy; it aims to improve the professional employment prospects of Aboriginal people with the University of Wollongong and more broadly.

Cadetships

The program has created 3 opportunities for Indigenous undergraduates to be employed at the University on a part-time employment/study program in 2003. The program allows for the cadet to have 21 hours per week of study time during the autumn and spring sessions and be employed full-time during recess periods. As the University award allows for a 35 hour working week, this therefore equates to 3 days study and 2 days on the job. The study leave is arranged in a flexible way so as to allow for each of the cadets and the workplace to allocate time for study as required in relation to the needs of the workplace and the University Calendar.

Initial cadetships are located within the Faculties Health and Behavioural Science and Informatics and the Graduate School of Business with cadets undertaking study in Finance, Computer Engineering and Management respectively. It is expected that the cadets will finish their undergraduate study within 5 years of commencement.

The cadetship model of part time work and part time study is different to the existing program funded by Department of Employment Workplace Relations through the National Indigenous Cadetship Project, which is based on full time study and full time work during recess periods,. The University of Wollongong is piloting the new model at a national level with funding determined on the level of credit points studied per year for the five years of the cadetship.

The University pays the HECS, student fees and a textbook allowance for the students during their undergraduate degree.

Selection Process and Support Mechanisms

The cadetships were broadly advertised (Telegraph, Illawarra Mercury, Koori Mail) with appointments being made through a merit selection process with a strong contingent of applicants, particularly for the Information Technology position.

As part of the program to ensure that all cadets are gaining the support they need, and are keeping on track, all cadets are expected to compile a study/career plan and lodge this with the Employment Equity & Diversity Unit Director. This plan is then used as a template to ensure the cadet will complete their course requirements in the nominated timeframe. The University understands that this plan may change in the five year period, if it does, the cadet and the work unit will be required to submit a revised study/career plan.

Supporting this study/career plan will be the nominated workplace mentor, Aboriginal Education Centre and the EED unit. They will focus on providing the cadet with the necessary information to complete their studies and achieve their career goals by maintaining regular contact.

By reducing the financial burden on the cadet and providing additional incentive to continue in the studies, a sound investment is being made in the future of the University and that of Indigenous employment.

Outcomes

As this program has only been initiated in 2003 there have been no long term outcomes, however the three appointees are currently achieving more than satisfactory results in their studies as well as their in their work capacities.

Contact

For further information contact:
Project Officer, Indigenous Employment