NESA Training Events
WORKSHOP
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Melbourne | Wednesday 21 & Thursday 22 February 2018 | 9.30am AEDT
DETAILS
DATE: Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 February 2018
TIME: 9.30am AEDT
LOCATION: NESA Melbourne office, Level 8, 20 – 22 Albert road, SOUTH MELBOURNE 3205
Target Group
All staff.
Summary
NESA offers the Mental Health First Aid course authorised by MHFA Australia, and delivered by MHFA Australia Accredited Instructors.
The 12-hour Mental Health First Aid course teaches adults (18 years and over) how to provide initial support to adults who are developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. The course is delivered over two days.
Course participants learn about the signs and symptoms of the common and disabling mental health problems, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation.
Learning Outcomes
- Explore different options for supporting a person with mental health problems
- Understand the prevalence of mental illness in Australia
- Identify where to get support
- Understand why early intervention is key
- Identify when a colleague may be depressed
- Understand suicide and its warning signs
- Learn what to do if someone mentions suicide
- Identify when a colleague may be suffering anxiety
- Understand the different anxiety disorders
- Know how to help a colleague manage a panic attack
- Know what to do if a colleague has suffered trauma
- Learn to spot serious mental health issues, including psychosis & bipolar disorder
- Understand what to do if you witness a psychotic episode
- Identify the signs of substance abuse in the workplace
- Understand types of drugs and their effects
- Know how to handle a colleague with a substance abuse related disorder
COST
OTHER
At the end of training participant: All participants that complete the full 12 hour course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to undertake the MHFA online exam for their full certification (They will be issued PDF Certificate of Accreditation by MHFA Australia). Please note that this is an internationally recognised course.
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
NESA Training Events
WORKSHOP
Understanding jobactive Outcomes workshop
Melbourne | Tuesday 6 March 2018 | Starts 9.30am AEDT
DETAILS
DATE: Tuesday 6 March 2018
TIME: 9 am for a 9:30am commencement
LOCATION: Central Melbourne venue TBA
Target Group
jobactive consultants of all levels of experience – perfect for new starters and experienced consultants who are moving into an Outcomes management role, or who just want to learn how Outcomes work!
Summary
In a performance-driven sector, it’s important that your staff understand jobactive Outcomes. Outcomes are what we strive for. Successful Outcomes can change the lives of our job seekers, and it’s Outcomes that, to a large extent, drive our business. But it’s a complex topic. An understanding of jobactive Outcomes requires an understanding of how many different things work together – how a job seeker’s circumstances determine their outcome requirements, and how a job seeker’s subsequent achievements are supported with evidence. An understanding of jobactive Outcomes also requires an understanding of all the things that can happen as a job seeker tracks towards an Outcome: variations in earnings and hours worked, breaks in employment, discrepancies between DHS data and the evidence you hold… and much more.
Our one-day Understanding jobactive Outcomes workshop builds a core understanding of Outcomes before moving into some of the more complex areas around 4, 12 and 26 Week Employment Outcomes. As well as learning the theory you’ll be working through plenty of practical exercises – so bring calculators
You will learn about
- Building the Outcomes foundations: job seekers, requirements and evidence
- Outcome start dates – why they matter, how they are set, and how they can change
- 4 and 12 week Outcomes – how they work together
- 26 week Outcomes
- Variations in earnings
- Permissible breaks
- Discrepancies
- Payslip verified Outcomes
- Apportioning income and hours
- Education Outcomes
- Outcomes and ESS
About Damien Opolski
A career spanning more than 30 years gives Damien Opolski a rare insight into Australian government employment services. Damien spent 12 years as manager of the Department of Employment’s Learning Centre – a role which saw him closely involved with policy and IT development, and with responsibility for developing and delivering policy, systems and capability-building training for providers. This, coupled with Damien’s frontline experience (during a CES career in metropolitan and regional South Australia, he estimates he conducted 10,000 job seeker interviews and worked with hundreds of employers), allows him to offer this unique training experience. Damien has more than 20 years’ experience in delivering training straight to frontline employment consultants and their managers, and Department staff in programmes such as jobactive (and its predecessors), DES, RJCP, TTW and ParentsNext.
COST
OTHER
At the conclusion of the workshop participants will receive:
- A comprehensive Professional Training workbook
- A Certificate of Attendance for their portfolio
- Confidence to utilise the knowledge and skills in the workplace
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
NESA Training Events
WORKSHOP
Big Day In - A Day in the Life of a jobactive consultant
a workshop with Damien Opolski
Melbourne | Tuesday 13 March 2018 | Starts 9.30am AEDT
DETAILS
DATE: Tuesday 13 March 2018
TIME: 9am for a 9:30am commencement
LOCATION: Central Melbourne venue TBA
Target Group
jobactive consultants of all levels of experience!
Summary
The skills and knowledge of the 20,000 employment consultants who deliver services each day is paramount to the success of our employment services sector. Employment consultant turnover is high. There are many reasons why a person may leave the sector early, but feeling that you lack the skills, knowledge and confidence to perform a complex and challenging role is a major factor for many people. Damien helps consultants to better understand the context of today’s employment services, and to develop practical skills and knowledge that will help sustain them through their employment services sector careers.
This highly interactive and thought-provoking day sees participants explore a range of challenging real-life scenarios as we assist ‘Richie’, our job seeker, to find suitable employment. Damien tests participants’ knowledge of jobactive operational policy and the legislative framework that we operate in, while helping to build the skills and confidence required to work successfully with some of Australia’s most disadvantaged people.
At the conclusion of the workshop participants will receive
- A comprehensive Professional Training workbook
- A Certificate of Attendance for their portfolio
- Confidence to utilise the knowledge and skills in the workplace
About Damien Opolski:
A career spanning more than 30 years gives Damien Opolski a rare insight into Australian employment services. Damien spent 12 years as manager of the Department of Employment’s Learning Centre – a role which saw him closely involved with policy and IT development, and with responsibility for developing and delivering policy, systems and capability-building training for providers. This, coupled with Damien’s frontline experience (during a CES career in metropolitan and regional South Australia, he estimates he conducted 10,000 job seeker interviews and worked with hundreds of employers), allows him to offer this unique training experience. Damien has more than 20 years’ experience in delivering training straight to frontline employment consultants and their managers, and Department staff in programmes such as jobactive (and its predecessors), DES, RJCP, TTW and ParentsNext.
COST
OTHER
Please note that we can only offer this course until 15 March 2018 and that it can be delivered in-house
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
NESA Training Events
WORKSHOP
Big Day In - A Day in the Life of a jobactive consultant
a workshop with Damien Opolski
Brisbane | Wednesday 14 March 2018 | Starts 9.30am AEDT
DETAILS
DATE: Wednesday 14 March 2018
TIME: 9am for a 9:30am commencement
LOCATION: Central Brisbane location TBA
Target Group
jobactive consultants of all levels of experience!
Summary
The skills and knowledge of the 20,000 employment consultants who deliver services each day is paramount to the success of our employment services sector. Employment consultant turnover is high. There are many reasons why a person may leave the sector early, but feeling that you lack the skills, knowledge and confidence to perform a complex and challenging role is a major factor for many people. Damien helps consultants to better understand the context of today’s employment services, and to develop practical skills and knowledge that will help sustain them through their employment services sector careers.
This highly interactive and thought-provoking day sees participants explore a range of challenging real-life scenarios as we assist ‘Richie’, our job seeker, to find suitable employment. Damien tests participants’ knowledge of jobactive operational policy and the legislative framework that we operate in, while helping to build the skills and confidence required to work successfully with some of Australia’s most disadvantaged people.
At the conclusion of the workshop participants will receive:
- A comprehensive Professional Training workbook
- A Certificate of Attendance for their portfolio
- Confidence to utilise the knowledge and skills in the workplace
about Damien Opolski
A career spanning more than 30 years gives Damien Opolski a rare insight into Australian employment services. Damien spent 12 years as manager of the Department of Employment’s Learning Centre – a role which saw him closely involved with policy and IT development, and with responsibility for developing and delivering policy, systems and capability-building training for providers. This, coupled with Damien’s frontline experience (during a CES career in metropolitan and regional South Australia, he estimates he conducted 10,000 job seeker interviews and worked with hundreds of employers), allows him to offer this unique training experience. Damien has more than 20 years’ experience in delivering training straight to frontline employment consultants and their managers, and Department staff in programmes such as jobactive (and its predecessors), DES, RJCP, TTW and ParentsNext.
Cost
OTHER
Please note that we can only offer this course until 15 March 2018 and that it can be delivered in-house
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
NESA Training Events
WORKSHOP
Big Day In - A Day in the Life of a jobactive consultant
a workshop with Damien Opolski
Sydney | Friday 15 March 2018 | 9.30am AEDT
DETAILS
DATE: Friday 15 March 2018
TIME: 9am for a 9:30am commencement
LOCATION: Central Sydney location TBA
Target Group
jobactive consultants of all levels of experience!
Summary
The skills and knowledge of the 20,000 employment consultants who deliver services each day is paramount to the success of our employment services sector. Employment consultant turnover is high. There are many reasons why a person may leave the sector early, but feeling that you lack the skills, knowledge and confidence to perform a complex and challenging role is a major factor for many people. Damien helps consultants to better understand the context of today’s employment services, and to develop practical skills and knowledge that will help sustain them through their employment services sector careers.
This highly interactive and thought-provoking day sees participants explore a range of challenging real-life scenarios as we assist ‘Richie’, our job seeker, to find suitable employment. Damien tests participants’ knowledge of jobactive operational policy and the legislative framework that we operate in, while helping to build the skills and confidence required to work successfully with some of Australia’s most disadvantaged people.
At the conclusion of the workshop participants will receive
- A comprehensive Professional Training workbook
- A Certificate of Attendance for their portfolio
- Confidence to utilise the knowledge and skills in the workplace
About Damien Opolski
A career spanning more than 30 years gives Damien Opolski a rare insight into Australian employment services. Damien spent 12 years as manager of the Department of Employment’s Learning Centre – a role which saw him closely involved with policy and IT development, and with responsibility for developing and delivering policy, systems and capability-building training for providers. This, coupled with Damien’s frontline experience (during a CES career in metropolitan and regional South Australia, he estimates he conducted 10,000 job seeker interviews and worked with hundreds of employers), allows him to offer this unique training experience. Damien has more than 20 years’ experience in delivering training straight to frontline employment consultants and their managers, and Department staff in programmes such as jobactive (and its predecessors), DES, RJCP, TTW and ParentsNext.
COST
OTHER
Please note that we can only offer this course until 15 March 2018 and that it can be delivered in-house
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
Why you should attend
DES managers need to understand person centered approaches and adopt new techniques to drive quality services and high performing teams. This interactive workshop will cover practical information and techniques for leading effective service and performance.
Our DES forum is specifically designed to meet the needs of:
Regional Managers
Site Managers
New DES Providers
Topics covered
Making Connections
• Lived experience and why it matters
• Understanding the disability landscape
• Identifying and connecting with key referral partners
Service Management
• DEEDS, guidelines and provider compliance
• Achieving performance through 30 30 30 caseload management
• Engagement - reducing resistance through practical person centered approaches
• Building better practice through leading strategic interventions
Maximising Performance
• Retaining employers
• Collaborating for success
• Outcome sustainability through effective post placement and ongoing support
• Tools and resources
Leading services and performance in a consumer driven market
Meet our presenters
Annette Gill
NESA Principal Policy Advisor
Annette has worked with not for profit, private and local government organisations and has been involved in State and Commonwealth funded employment services since the early 1990’s. Annette was Policy Manager at NESA from 2003 - 2013. Prior to commencing her current consultancy business, Annette held the role of Policy and Research Manager of Karingal a large community and disability services organisation with annual revenue of approximately $100 m and which was part of the NDIS Barwon trial. Annette led the policy and research agenda as well as undertaking bid management contributing to organisational growth, particularly in its aged care and employment services divisions.
Vanessa Puopolo
NESA Policy Advisor
Vanessa has worked in the employment services sector for over 9 years after completing a Bachelor of Applied Science (Disability) in 2007. In 2013 Vanessa joined the NESA policy team engaging with NESA members through outreach to identify operational and policy related issues across the breadth of all employment programmes including jobactive, DES, TTW and WfD, she is focused on being a voice and influence that helps shape employment programme settings to achieve operational efficiencies for staff whilst ensuring programmes tangibly meeting the needs of job seekers through effective and efficient services.
Event Details
Thursday 21 June 2018
Registration 9.00am
Workshop 9.30am - 4.30pm
Mantra Tullamarine Hotel, Melbourne
Cnr Melrose Drive & Trade Park Drive, Tullamarine
Shuttle Bus from/to Airport: Complimentary
Event prices
NESA MEMBER REGISTRATION
.-
PRICE INCLUDES:
-
Tea and coffee at registration
-
Morning and afternoon tea
-
Lunch
NESA MEMBER GROUP REGISTRATION
3 OR MORE PEOPLE-
PRICE INCLUDES:
-
Tea and coffee at registration
-
Morning and afternoon tea
-
Lunch
NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION
.-
PRICE INCLUDES:
-
Tea and coffee at registration
-
Morning and afternoon tea
-
Lunch
NESA Training Events
WORKSHOP
DES 2018 Engagement and Retention Skills
Melbourne | Monday 25 June 2018 | Starts 9.30am sharp
DETAILS
DATE: Monday 25 June 2018
TIME: 9am, for 9:30am start. Finished by 4:30pm
LOCATION: Central location Melbourne
Target Group
Team Leaders, Managers, all frontline staff
Summary
The DES sector is about to experience the biggest shift in service delivery since its inception – the service offered by frontline staff will change from a participation model to a customer-centred model.
To support your staff in the transition to DES 2018 and the new client-focused environment, NESA has engaged with BOUNCE consultancy to develop and deliver this workshop.
This one day workshop will give employment services operational staff and their managers best practice strategies and techniques that they will be able to implement on a daily basis.
Topics being covered
A BOOST TO YOUR CAPABILITY
- The change to the new customer-focussed world
- Practical emotional intelligence tips to engage & retain clients
DEVELOP ATTRACTION & ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES
- What will attract clients to your service?
- Learn to balance mutual obligation with choice & control – Know what your clients really want
TRANSFORM YOUR SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL
- Refine your service delivery
- Be competitive in the new world
- Change participants’ mindsets without them changing providers
FACILITATOR
Matt Luttrell
Matt Luttrell has over 15 years’ management experience that includes many years managing hotels in Melbourne and Geelong and a decade in employment services. Within employment services Matt started his journey in recruitment and developed into senior management positions where he developed an extensive network and is well regarded for building key stakeholder relationships within the industry. Matt lists his strengths as integrity, honesty and accuracy, all of which are critical components when building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.
COST
OTHER
All participants that complete workshop will receive a Certificate of Completion and leave with a comprehensive Professional Training workbook
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
NESA National Conference | 8 - 9 August 2018 | Hilton Hotel Brisbane
Inspiring Progress
Building resilience and agility through focussed leadership
Who Should Attend
This conference has something for everyone in the employment services sector! Delegates will have the opportunity to attend plenary and workshop sessions that explore current issues, global trends and the broader policy environment shaping the sector. The programme will be relevant to all employment services.
"The NESA conference was a positive experience that allowed me to feel a sense of industry inclusion and recognition. This confidence will prompt me to explore new ideas and challenge my comfort zone."
- 2017 Conference Delegate
Our Event Speakers
Plenary Speakers
THE HON JANE PRENTICE MP
Assistant Minster for Social Services and Disability Services
THE HON ED HUSIC MP
Shadow Minister for Employment Services, Workforce Participation and Future of Work, Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy
SENATOR THE HON ZED SESELJA
Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services
SIR BILL ENGLISH
Sir Bill English served in the New Zealand Parliament from his election in 1990 representing rural Southland until February 2018.
Mike Symonds - MC
"Highly engaging, practical and fun!" Mike Symonds is a playful and engaging Keynote Speaker and Corporate MC who will educate, inspire and entertain you.
rOWENA mCnALLY
Independent Chair
NESA
ANDREW GRIFFITHS
Andrew is a global commentator covering innovative business, customer connection and entrepreneurialism.
Professor Kristy Muir
CEO Centre for Social Impact (CSI) and member of UNSW Sydney’s Council
Michael McQueen
A multi-award winning speaker, trend forecaster and six-time bestselling author.
Kathy Kelly
Kathy’s story isn't just about loss and immense grief, it's about resilience and courage and the determination to stand up and change a broken system.
DAY 1 - Workshop Presenters
Chris Kerr
Recipient of the 2003 Centenary Medal for service to the disabled community WA Disability Services Commission "Count Me In" Mid-West Ambassador
SEAN ARMISTEAD
General Manager - Indigenous and Community Engagement at Sodexo
Lindsey Ricker
OECD - Policy Analyst, LESI Programme (Local Employment, Skills and Social Innovation)
JODY HAMILTON
Lead Facilitator and Founder at LIFT Social Enterprise - I LIFT, You LIFT, We LIFT
Kristine Salgado
Managing Principal – FINPRO Marsh Pty Ltd
DANIELLE WILLIAMS
Assistant Director Job seeker Participation & Compliance Branch
Professor John Mendoza
Director, ConNetica Adjunct Professor, Health and Sport Science, University of Sunshine Coast Adjunct Associate Professor, Medicine, Sydney University
DR Kylie Henderson
Founder and Managing Director Back2Work
Kerryn Kovacevic
A/g Group Manager Employment Systems Group Department of Jobs & Small Business
Peter Broadhead
Branch Manager – DES Department of Social Services
EMMA HILL
Director, Mature Age Programs Team
Jodie WEARNE
Branch Manager Incentives and Investments Branch
Helen Boyle
Acting Director Job Seeker Eligibility and Services Assessment Services and Outcomes Branch
CRAIG WATERSON
Senior Adviser
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
CHLOE BIRD
Assistant Secretary Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Community and Economic Development Division
Sandra McPhee AM
Independent Chair Employment Services Expert Advisory Panel
Martin Hehir
Deputy Secretary Department of Jobs and Small Business
Nicholas Dowie
Branch Manager Department of Jobs and Small Business Active Labour Market Assistance 2020
Chris D’Souza
Director
NDIS Market Oversight Branch
Department of Social Services
Malcolm Greening
Assistant Secretary of the Industry, Regional and International Strategies Branch
Nisette Anderson
Director, Regional Policy in the Department of Jobs and Small Business, Industry, Regional & International Strategy Branch
Ali Jalayer
Assistant Secretary Department of Jobs and Small Business Specialist Programmes Branch, Youth and Programmes Group
CRAIG DUNKELD
Senior Advisor, Business Development
Department of Jobs and Small Business
sarah clough
Assistant Secretary, Employment Branch
Department of Jobs and Small Business
DAY 2 - Workshop Presenters
Sara Parrott
Executive Manager Corporate Responsibility
Suncorp
Dr Abigail Powell
Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Social Impact
Maria Smith
Founder and CEO
Bounce Australia
Dr Emma Campbell
CEO Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA)
Sarah Kallon
Practitioner Pure Insights
Matthew Cox
Co-chair the Logan City of Choice Leadership Team.
Richard Reid
Account Manager Queensland Department of Jobs and Small Business
Gail Kerr OAM
CEO, Access Youth support, housing and social enterprise services for migrants, refugees and Australian born clients – DES Provider
Lynette Phuong
Project Manager of
Digital Springboard
Infoxchange
Dr Michael McGann
ARC Research Fellow
School of Social and Political Sciences
University of Melbourne
Belinda-Jane Dolan
CEO
Clariti Group
Greg Mazzone
Director Digital Information Assurance Section & External Systems Certification Authority
ANDREW GRIFFITHS
Andrew is a global commentator covering innovative business, customer connection and entrepreneurialism.
Facilitators
Annette Gill
Head of OECD Employment and Skills Unit, Local Employment, Skills, and Social Innovation Division (LESI)
MATT CLARKE
Deputy CEO
NESA
VANESSA PUOPOLO
Policy Advisor
NESA
AMANDA OWEN
Project Manager RSAS
NESA
JOHN PERRY
Manager
Access Community Services
Marg Lourey
Senior Policy Advisor
NESA
Miro Lojanica
Senior Project Manager
NESA
NESA Awards for Excellence
Be acknowledged for industry excellence!
The Awards highlight the commitment this sector has made to improving the well-being of our community, the excellent levels of service offered and the very real successes resulting from hard work and innovation at the frontline.
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
Event Details
VENUE
Brisbane Hilton Hotel
190 Elizabeth St
Brisbane City QLD 4000
WELCOME RECEPTION
Tuesday 7 August
6.30pm - 8.00pm
CONFERENCE
Wednesday 8 and
Thursday 9 August
GALA AWARDS DINNER
Wednesday 8 August
From 7.30pm
Meet our Sponsors and Exhibitors
Contact Us
REGISTRATIONS
EXHIBITION AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
NESA Awards for Excellence
ABOUT THE AWARDS
Importance of the Awards
The NESA National awards during their fourteen years, have highlighted the commitment this sector has made to improving the well-being of our community, the excellent levels of service offered and the very real successes resulting from hard work and innovation.
The National Employment Services Awards for Excellence are:
- Fostering high standards in the employment services sector
- Recognising employers who provide employment opportunities and a workplace environment which supports the retention and development of job seekers, particularly those who are disadvantaged
- Honouring job seekers who have overcome disadvantage to obtain and retain appropriate employment
- Encouraging employers to adopt and support employment services programmes
- Providing a benchmark for excellence within the sector
- Reinforcing the value of the sector and fostering job seeker, employer and public confidence
- Promoting professional development and education within the employment services sector
The nominees in the six categories undergo a comprehensive and rigorous assessment process, with auditing, variance, due diligence and means weighting applied. Only nominees who reach an acceptable benchmark in scores are considered for a finalist berth, and NESA only announces a maximum of three finalists in all excellence awards categories except the Employment Consultant, which may have four if there is an inclusion of the Bright Star award.
Entry and Winner Benefits
National finalist benefits include:
- Accommodation for one night to attend the Awards for all finalists in the Achiever and Employment Consultant categories. The nominating Employment Consultant for Achiever of the Year finalists also receives this benefit.
- In addition, one representative from each Innovation in Indigenous Employment Award and each Excellence in Collaboration Award and Innovation in Disability Employment - Team Award finalist will receive this benefit.
- Return economy airline ticket from your closest major regional or metropolitan airport for all finalists in the Achiever and Employment Consultant categories.
- The nominating Employment Consultant for Achiever of the Year finalists will also fly with the former job seeker that they nominated.
- In addition, the representing member of each Innovation in Disability Employment – Team Award finalist, Excellence in Indigenous Employment Award finalist and Excellence in Collaboration Award finalist will receive a return economy ticket.
- The right to use NESA’s awards seal on collateral for two years.
- Promotion of your success in national, state and local media.
- A high quality, framed certificate for display.
- Greater recognition within the industry and with key external stakeholders.
- One ticket to the Gala Awards Dinner for each finalist or finalist representative.
- VIP status at the invitation-only Champion’s Reception immediately prior to the Gala Awards Dinner for finalists / finalist representatives in all categories. Other VIPs in attendance will include sponsors, Government Ministers and a select number of industry leaders
National Winners Receive:
- A prestigious Award trophy
- An ability to promote the win for two years
- An Awards seal and guidelines to help promote the win
- Inclusion on the NESA website and in the NESA Annual Report
- Additional PR campaign
Congratulations to all our
Award winners and finalists
AWARD CATEGORIES
Achiever of the Year
SUPPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JOBS AND SMALL BUSINESS
Recognises a former job seeker who has overcome extraordinary disadvantage to embrace employment
Qualifying period:
The nominee job seeker must have gained and retained full-time employment or full-capacity employment in the past two years (since June 2016).
Eligibility:
The nominee must still be employed on the date of the awards – 8 August 2018
Champion Employer of the Year
SUPPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JOBS AND SMALL BUSINESS
Recognises organisations that give disadvantaged Australians a fair go
Qualifying period:
1 July 2017 - 30 June 2018
Eligibility:
Employers must have used employment services offered by a current NESA member organisation in 2017 / 18.
Innovation in Indigenous Employment
SUPPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JOBS AND SMALL BUSINESS
Recognises employment services professionals and organisations who find work for Indigenous Australians
Qualifying period:
1 July 2017 - 30 June 2018
Eligibility:
Open to employment consultants and teams working jobactive programmes who can demonstrate through innovation in servicing, how they have achieved notable, measurable outcomes for Indigenous job seekers.
Submissions are encouraged from both individuals and teams, and a “team” can constitute:
* A provider
* An entire branch or office
* A geographically based team i.e. regional or Employment Region
* A work group within a larger team
* A group formed to achieve a specified Indigenous outcome.
Innovation in Disability Employment - Team
SUPPORTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT - JOBACCESS
Recognises employment service providers and employment organisations who have worked together to assist people with a disability
Qualifying period:
The innovative disability-related project must have started or operated between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018.
Eligibility:
Teams are required to demonstrate how they delivered disability-related innovation to either clients or employers. Judges will accept that a “team” constitutes:
* An entire branch or office
* A geographically based team i.e. regional or ESA
* A work group within a larger team
* A group formed to achieve a specified outcome or project
* An office or corporate support group
Employment Consultant of the Year
SUPPORTED BY NESA
Recognises professionals who work to find jobs for disadvantaged Australians across all employment services programmes
Qualifying period:
1 July 2017 - 30 June 2018
Eligibility:
Must be employed by an organisation which is a current NESA member on the date that award submissions close (25 June 2018).
Excellence in Collaboration
SUPPORTED BY SUNSUPER
Recognises organisations working within any employment services programme, who demonstrate innovation and excellence in delivering outcomes for job seekers, community organisations and employers.
Qualifying period:
1 July 2017 - 30 June 2018
Eligibility:
Open to organisations who can demonstrate innovation and excellence in delivering outcomes for job seekers, community organisations and employers. All nominees are required to demonstrate how they clearly delivered collaboration in achieving innovation and excellence in service between all parties. Joint entries between NESA members and other members or non-member organisations is encouraged as long as a key organisation involved in developing and delivering the project is a NESA member.
Judges' Top Five Tips
Tip 1.
Really read and understand the criteria – analyze the questions so you understand exactly what is being asked of you.
Tip 2.
Make sure you answer every part of the question being asked. For instance, if a question asks you to “Demonstrate through a career and life achievement timeline how you have worked towards continual improvement and excellence" then make sure you provide both life (such as community, family, sports) and career information.
Tip 3.
Avoid writing Motherhood Statements. These are expansive, sweeping claims or declarations that are so generic as to be meaningless. They contain very little substance, and therefore typically cannot be disputed.
Tip 4.
Be specific about your or the nominee's achievements - make statements that can be quantified and then provide the proof (numbers, data, examples) that support your claims. Wherever possible, use more than one statistic to prove the point.
Tip 5.
If you are writing about yourself, then be yourself. Judges want to get to know you from the pages of your submission. They want to gain insight into the type of person you are – What are your values and your passions?
THE JUDGES
NESA's Judges
Judges are employment and business leaders with expertise in the areas of recruitment, placement, social inclusion, youth engagement and mental health. All judges are volunteers, and so it is very important that the process be streamlined and hassle-free.
Assessment is conducted in three phases:
1. Scoring of submissions by judges.
2. Auditing and variance (the awards convenors).
3. Deliberation, facilitated by awards convenors, where all judges in a specific category come together (via teleconference) to provide final assurance that audited results reflect the judges’ expectations.
Meet the Judges
Marion Webster, AO
Marion has worked in the not-for-profit and philanthropic sector in Australia and internationally.
She is currently the Executive Director of Kilfinan Australia, a simple concept which involves matching senior corporate and public sector leaders with not for profit CEOs to provide confidential, free, one-on-one mentoring. She was previously founding director of Philanthropy Australia and has worked as a CEO in child and family welfare, as well as migrant and refugee services.
Marion was a founding trustee and Chair of Australian Communities Foundation, a founding trustee of Auckland Communities Foundation, and founding Chair of Fitted for Work. In 2004 she was awarded an OAM for services to philanthropy and the community.
Dr Peter Laver, AM
After 40 years working with BHP in senior positions, Peter retired in 1998 to pursue other interests where he remains passionate – education, science, innovation and employment. A former Chancellor of the Victorian University of Technology, he has held more than 30 Chair, President, Vice-President and Director standings.
This has included for organisations such as the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, National Board of Employment Education and Training, Victorian Learning and Employment Skills Commission, Community Advisory Council for the Community Support Fund, and the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes. In addition, he provides voluntary expertise to many not-for-profit organisations.
Adrian Panozzo
Adrian is the Director of Better Life Group, a social impact and strategy company dedicated to developing organisational change, shared value and social enterprise business solutions to social issues. He has also been highly influential in guiding organisations through positive transformation by integrating people, community, social and business goals into their vision.
Adrian was the CEO of Reclink Australia. Under his guidance, Reclink grew in membership of community organisations from 100 to more than 500. Some of his other achievements include a Churchill Fellowship, Stanford University’s Executive Program for Not for Profit Leaders, and two times finisher of the Marathon de Sable - a 260km seven-day race across the Sahara Desert.
The Judging Process
Submissions undergo a comprehensive and rigorous assessment process.
Three judges are assigned to each submission in each category.
Judges are typically given 7 – 10 days to score the submissions assigned to them.
The judging progress is checked and, where pertinent, judges are sent a gentle reminder of the completion date.
Judges score every question and provide feedback on how to improve each submission.
Once all entries are scored then award convenors conduct an audit – cross-checking all scores given by all judges to identify instances where a judge’s score is out of sync by more than 20 percentile with other judges. Where this occurs award convenors check the submission before contacting the judge about this matter to talk through their score and, where appropriate, requesting a re-assessment of that specific question. (Most often the judge has simply misread or
misinterpreted information in the submission. However, without this vital step worthy winners can fail to reach finalist status or incorrect nominees can be announced as winners.)
Where the number of entries is too great to be assigned to just three judges then an additional, pivotal process is introduced whereby all judges for the one category are compared through a variable means calculation. If this results in a variance that is then applied to submission scores. This ensures nominees compete on an equal playing field with none disadvantaged by “harsh” or “easy” scoring judges.
- A benchmark score applies to all submissions in each category before informing NESA and judges of the audited results for all entries that achieved the minimum benchmark.
- The deliberation teleconference is organised.
- Judges are provided with a timeframe and phone-in details to join the teleconference, only for the period relevant to the category or categories they judged.
- The winner and the next top three nominations are determined for each category during the teleconference.
- The winner and the next two top nominations are assigned finalist status, pending due diligence.
- If an issue is identified and confirmed during due diligence then the relevant nominee will be removed from contention and the third-top nomination becomes the finalist in that category.
- Finalists are then publically announced.
Entry Rules and Guidelines
NESA member organisations are encouraged to enter multiple nominees across all categories or more than one nomination within a category.
Each category has specific criteria and a separate submission is required for each nomination.
If you are entering the Achiever category and you are a former job seeker, then please take note that NESA or its Awards Coordinators will contact you and that you will have an opportunity to review all information that will be sent to the media and used in Awards e-bulletins.
By entering these Awards and completing your submission, all nominees:
- Are giving permission for NESA and its Awards Coordinators to describe your achievements at the Awards Gala Dinner and promote your achievements to the media.
- Understand that your identity and the submitting organisation will be disclosed during this process.
- Are granting NESA permission to reproduce supplied photographs (except where requested otherwise in the case of a former Job Seeker), the organisation’s logo and non-pecuniary information from your submission.
- Understand that your contact details may be passed to official members of the media pursuing legitimate stories resulting from the awards.
- Agree to abide by the judging panel decisions and accept that there will be no appeals.
NESA retains the right to:
- Contact finalists prior to the Awards presentation if deemed necessary, and all finalists must be prepared to attend the Awards presentation.
- Withdraw the granting of a particular honour if the award entrant (in the case of a previous Job Seeker or Employment Consultant) or a company representative (in the case of the Champion Employer) is not present to accept that award.
- Withdraw from judging any submissions received through a nominating organisation that goes into administration, voluntary receivership, liquidation or is declared bankrupt after the awards closing date.
Submissions must include:
- An answer to each online criterion
- Uploaded files where they have been requested
- A quality head and shoulders photograph or image of the nominee for the Achiever of the Year and Employment Consultant of the Year categories.
FAQ
Are the awards open to all employment programmes?
The awards are open to everyone who works in Disability Employment Services (DES), jobactive, ParentsNext, Youth Jobs PaTH, NEIS, Harvest Labour Services, and National Harvest Labour Information Service. In addition, Employment Consultant of the Year nominees can be working in Community Development Programme (CDP).
What questions do I need to answer to complete my award submission?
I work in a programme area other than jobactive. Can I still apply for the awards?
Absolutely. The NESA Awards are designed to honour everyone that is working as an employment provider under an Australian Government programme and who works for a NESA member. This includes Community Development Programme (CDP), Disability Employment Services (DES) and jobactive.
Can we submit a few days late?
No. In the interest of fairness to all participants, no late entries will be accepted.
