New Employment Services - Preparing for Your Proposal
Starts Friday 21 May 2021
Starts 2.00pm AEST (1.30pm SA & NT, and 12 noon in WA)
Who Will Benefit from Participating in this Online Workshop
- Existing providers of the Government funded employment services
- Cohort specialists – such as, organisations working with Indigenous Australians, Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD), Refugees, People with Disability, Ex-offenders, Youth (<25), Retrenched workers and more
- Large employers and employer recruitment specialists / agencies
- Other peak bodies looking to support their members to enter the employment services sector
- Members of allied industries that are looking to complement their usual specialist service delivery.
who is the national employmnet services association (nesa)
NESA was established in 1997 and is the peak body for Australian employment services. Our membership is diverse and inclusive of not-for-profit, for-profit and public organisations engaged in the delivery of Australian employment services and complementary programs. NESA is the only representative body that supports providers and delivers advocacy across all programs including jobactive, Disability Employment Services, the Community Development Program, and complementary programs such as Transition to Work, Time to Work and Career Transition Assistance. We lead, collaborate and engage with key stakeholders throughout Australia, always focussed on a holistic, positive notion of employment.
Australia is a world leader in the provision of contracted employment services. NESA delivers tailored, market-specific policy support and guidance, advisory services, program design, professional development and capacity building. NESA is the bridge between government and the employment services sector.
CEO, Sally Sinclair, is at the forefront of employment services policy both domestically and internationally. Sally is also a member of the Employment Services Advisory Group, which has a remit to provide advice and feedback to the government on the New Employment Services Model.
SUMMARY
Are your ready to capture opportunities in the delivery of New Employment Services?
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) is expected to soon announce the purchasing details for New Employment Services which will replace jobactive as Australia’s largest employment program from July 2022.
The New Employment Services model represents the most significant reform Australian employment services have experienced in its 22 years of operation.
It is intended purchasing will result in retention of expertise from amongst existing employment providers as well as create opportunity for new providers to enter the market, particularly those with specialist expertise. Organisations working with groups such as Indigenous Australians, culturally & linguistically diverse (CALD), refugees, people living with disability, ex-offenders, young people or homeless, for example or those working with large employers and recruitment specialists may find New Employment Services offers them significant opportunities.
The new model requires new thinking and approaches to develop a winning service model and delivery strategies that are central to a strong bid. It is expected that the Request for Proposal process will be highly competitive and preparation will be critical to success.
To assist potential bidders prepare for the Request for Proposal, the National Employment Services Association (NESA) is delivering Preparing for Your Proposal in May 2021. The online workshop will include three online sessions delivered by our Senior Policy Adviser, designed to give you an invaluable background and understanding of the employment services sector, employment policies and the service delivery operating environment.
The New Employment Services – Preparing for Your Proposal workshop will be delivered online in 3 modules.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Module 1: Understanding Australian Employment Services
Friday 21 May 2021 at 2.00pm AEST (1.30pm SA & NT, and 12 noon WA)
- Evolution of Australia’s public employment services: 1998 to today
- Why do we have public employment services?
- Sector overview – size, funding, diversity
- Who do employment services assist? – the caseload profile
- The job seeker journey and role of the employment provider
- What does unemployment look like today?
- Employment opportunities in a rapidly changing world
- Working with complementary programs
- Employment services in 2022 – what will the model look like?
Module 2: Preparing to bid – What Do I Need to Know?
Monday 24 May 2021 at 2.00pm AEST
- The 2022 model: panels, sub-panels and licences
- Panel and licence periods
- Licence Reviews, Performance Management and the Quality Assurance Framework
- Generalists, Cohort Specialists and Workforce Specialists
- Employment Services bid assessment – What do DESE look for in a bid?
- Keeping up to date with information and announcements
Module 3: The Employment Services IT Environment
Wednesday 26 May 2021 at 2.00pm AEST
- The Employment Services Portal
- ESS Web – the Employment Services IT System
- Data and Reports – the Data Warehouse
- Internal and Third Party Employment Systems
- Right Fit for Risk – DESE’s Cybersecurity Requirements
Meet Your Presenter
Damien Opolski – Senior Policy Advisor – National Employment Services Association (NESA)
Damien has over 35 years of experience and depth of skills in all facets of Australian employment services.
Earlier in his career Damien spent a number of years on the ‘front line’ working in the former Commonwealth Employment Service (CES). Damien estimates he has conducted over 10,000 job seeker interviews and worked with hundreds of employers.
While working with the Department of Employment as Director of the Learning Centre Damien managed development of the training platform, training strategies and materials to ensure the 20,000+ professionals engaged in the delivery of Australian employment services received training to undertake their role. As a Senior Policy Advisor with NESA, Damien continues to support member organisations navigate contract requirements, with a strong focus on IT and cyber security, as well as continuing to develop front line practice as a regular workshop presenter for NESA.
Damien is an excellent communicator, who enjoys interacting and sharing his system expertise with his audience; and he has a Bachelor of Economics from Adelaide University, as well as Diplomas in Training and Assessment, and Project Management. He’s also a qualified Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages.
![Damien Opolski](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Damien-Opolski-BW-circle-300x300.png)
cost
OTHER
Each online session is expected to run up to 2 hours including ample Q&A and discussion time.
A PDF copy of the presentation will be distributed to all registrants.
Once the series has been completed, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Alternatively, this 3 part workshop is available to be delivered online In-house to your team
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
NESA Webinar
Building Stronger Teamwork
Thursday 27 May 2021
3.00pm AEST (2.30pm in SA & NT, and 1.00pm WA)
EVENT REGISTRATION
MEMBERS AND NON MEMBERS
TARGET GROUP
Team leaders and managers, or those aspiring to be.
SUMMARY
The Building Stronger Teamwork webinar is an interactive and highly practical session designed to provide your leaders with a range of simple and effective tools and methods they can use for creating strong teams, improving teamwork, and improving performance.
Mike will fill your toolbox with a range of resources you can easily pull out during daily huddles, team meetings, group discussions, one on one’s and any other time you interact with your team.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO HEAR ABOUT
- What is Teamwork?
- 3 Essential Elements
- What are they?
- What you can do!
- Creating stronger team connections
- Improving the way staff work together
- Boosting team performance
Facilitator
Mike Symonds
With over 15 years experience in ‘Building Stronger Teams, Boosting Staff Engagement and Creating Positive Workplace Cultures’, Mike has worked with some of Australia’s leading businesses. His highly interactive and practical approach is guaranteed to leave you INSPIRED, ENERGIZED and MOTIVATED to implement key learnings straight away!
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Mike-Symonds-Blue-Circle-300x300.png)
cost
OTHER
This live broadcast will include ample Q&A time. It is expected to run for no more than an hour.
A PDF copy of the presentation will be distributed to all registrants.
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-Pre-Conference-Masterclass-Newsletters-Mailchimp-Banner.png)
EVENT DETAILS
Pre-Conference Masterclass – Digital transformation – global trends in hybrid employment service delivery
Event Date: Monday 7 June 2021
Event Time: 3.30pm – 5.00pm AEST
Venue: QT Canberra
Hybrid Event
This Masterclass was the first session to be held as part of NESA’s Online International Innovation Tour 2021. As we were not able to travel internationally, NESA brought together the International experts to share their knowledge and experiences to the Australian employment services sector.
Registration
NESA MEMBER REGISTRATION
NON- MEMBER REGISTRATION
EVENT FORMAT
Sally Sinclair, CEO NESA will be facilitating the online session in-person at the QT Canberra. A panel of International experts will be presenting and participating online live.
You can register to attend in-person or virtually.
EVENT DESCRIPTION
”Digital transformation – global trends in hybrid employment service delivery”.
Employment services all over the world are firefighting the immediate labour market impact of COVID-19 and bracing for a future world of work with the after-effects of lockdowns, but also with the potential of digitization and growth. Digital tools are a great help in making employment accessible and skills more visible, if you know how to use them and when to better stick with face-to-face services. This masterclass offers an overview of what successful employment services from different parts of the world are currently using or planning to develop in hybrid services to their clients.
The public employment service of Estonia, one of the forerunners in e-governance, will share experience in what works and what does not in digital transformation of their public service. Further, the expert company for skills matching technology WCC Group will present state-of-the-art solutions for digital and hybrid employment services and how their clients, leading public employment services, are applying them.
The salon will leave room for discussion with participants and provide contacts to speakers for follow-ups.
AGENDA
Monday, 7 June 2021
Introduction: Megatrends in digitization of employment services
- Current challenges in becoming more digital or hybrid when delivering employment services
- Developing assets of automation and client-centered technology
Mr. Miguel Peromingo, global consultant for employment services
The Estonian experience – How the public employment service of Estonia mixes automation and in-person employment services successfully
- Profiling with human-machine interaction
- Machine supported decision-making of job-advisors
Ms. Mari Väli, Digital advisor development department, PES Estonia
The next generation of skills matching – Cases and learnings in the use of intelligent employment service technology
- Targeted matching
- Journeys of employment service providers when using digital tools
Mr. Rintse van der Werf, Senior solution architect, WCC Group
Question and answer
PRESENTERS
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Miguel-Peromingo-Headshot-150x150.png)
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rintse-Van-der-Werf-Headshot-150x150.png)
Mr. Rindse Van der Werf, WCC Group
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mari-Väli-Headshot-150x150.png)
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NESA-National-Conference-2021-Blank-Conference-Website-Banner.png)
NESA National Conference 2021
Thank you!
Thank you to our delegates who actively engaged with presenters and colleagues in lively discussion, our thought provoking plenary speakers, our workshop facilitators and presenters for sharing their experience, knowledge and expertise and our dedicated sponsors and exhibitors.
![NESA National Conference 2016](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Untitled-1024x570.jpg)
EVOLUTION AND REVOLUTION
Heraclitus of Ephesus said ‘the only constant in life is change’.
Our lives have changed so much in the last year.
They’ll continue to change in 2022, with the most significant change to employment services in over 20 years.
We will be ready.
VIRTUAL PORTAL
NOW CLOSED!
For specific conference session recordings and slides please email events@nesa.com.au
PROGRAMME SNAPSHOT
MONDAY 7 JUNE
3.30 - 5.00 PRE-CONFERENCE
6.30 - 8.30 WELCOME RECEPTION
TUESDAY 8 JUNE
8.30 - 9.00 REGISTRATIONS OPEN
9.00 - 5.30 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME DAY 1
7.30 NESA GALA AWARDS DINNER
WEDNESDAY 9 JUNE
9.00 - 2.30 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME DAY 2
The Workshop Streams
OUR TODAY
- jobactive
- Indigenous programs in remote and non-remote Australia
- Future Disability Employment Services – What does good look like?
- Right Fit For Risk
- Working with Challenging Behaviours
OUR TOMORROW
- Indigenous Employment in Practice
- New Employment Services Trial and the OES – the DESE and Provider Experience
- ESS Web for 2022 and Beyond
- National Disability Employment Strategy
- Employment Services in the Digital Age – What is the Research Telling Us?
OUR CHANGING WORLD
- Skilling for the Future
- Leading change to NESM and beyond
- Employer Engagement
- Facilitation and Engagement with Employers
- Untapped potential – supporting Australia’s CALD Workforce into employment?
OUR PEOPLE
- Employment Services Workforce
- The Workforce of the Future – Engaging and Preparing Young people for work
- Is behavioural science dead? What we’ve learned from the pandemic and the future of employment services
- What does the evidence say is the best solution for job seekers whom are the hardest to help with mental health conditions? How do we help these job seekers to return to work as quick as possible?
- What can we learn from sport and exercise to improve mental health, performance and employability?
Event Details
Venue
QT CANBERRA
1 London Cct, Canberra ACT 2601
Welcome Reception
Monday 7 June
6.30pm - 8.30pm AEST
Pre-Conference Masterclass
Monday 7 June
3.30pm - 5.00pm AEST
MORE INFO
Conference
Tuesday 8 June,
9.00am – 5.30pm AEST
Wednesday 9 June,
9.00am – 3.00pm AEST
Awards for Excellence
Gala Dinner
Tuesday 8 June,
7.00pm AEST Pre-function drinks
7.30pm AEST Gala Dinner
AWARDS INFO
Event details are subject to change.
CONFERENCE Registration
Our Conference will be presented in a hybrid format,
which means that you can choose to attend in-person or virtually.
In-Person Registration
In-Person Registrations include:
- Access to the full in-person conference experience of presentations
- Access to conference exhibitors (both in-person and virtual exhibitors), promoting the latest updates in the industry
- Catering for the days registered
- The opportunity to network with your industry colleagues both in-person and virtually
- Ticket to the Welcome Reception (cocktail function) (Note: not included for 1-day registrations)
- Access to all session recordings post-conference for a limited time
Tickets to attend the Gala Awards for Excellence Dinner are an additional purchase and cost $175 (inc. GST).
All prices are quoted in Australian dollars (inclusive of GST).
In-Person Registration Prices:
NESA MEMBER
Group Rate (1 - 4 people) | 2 Day Registration-
Group Rate (1 - 4 people)
-
2 Day Registration
-
In-person
-
NESA MEMBER
Group Rate (5 - 9 people) | 2 Day Registration-
Group Rate (5 - 9 people)
-
2 Day Registration
-
In-Person
-
NESA MEMBER
Group Rate (10+ people) | 2 Day Registration-
Group Rate (10+ people)
-
2 Day Registration
-
In-Person
-
NON MEMBER
2 Day Registration-
2 Day Registration
-
In-Person
-
-
NESA MEMBER
Day Registration | IN-PERSONNON MEMBER
Day Registration | IN-PERSONAWARDS DINNER
FULL Registration | IN-PERSONOnline Registrations Have Now Closed.
For Late Registrations or Dinner Tickets, please email US
Virtual Registration
Virtual Registrations include:
- Access to all sessions presented live virtually
- Ability to ask real-time questions of presenters available during live sessions
- Watch the Gala Awards for Excellence Presentation virtually
- The opportunity to network with your industry colleagues virtually
- Access the Virtual Exhibition area
- Access to all session recordings post-conference for a limited time
Note: All sessions will be recorded and made available for both in-person and virtual registrants to view on the virtual event platform, subject to the consent of the session presenter.
All prices are quoted in Australian dollars (inclusive of GST).
VIRTUAL Registration Prices:
NESA MEMBER
Group Rate (1 - 4 people) | 2 Day Registration-
Group Rate (1 - 4 people)
-
2 Day Registration
-
Virtual
-
NESA MEMBER
Group Rate (5 - 9 people) | 2 Day Registration-
Group Rate (5 - 9 people)
-
2 Day Registration
-
Virtual
-
NESA MEMBER
Group Rate (10+ people) | 2 Day Registration-
Group Rate (10+ people)
-
2 Day Registration
-
Virtual
-
NON MEMBER
2 Day Registration-
2 Day Registration
-
Virtual
-
-
NESA MEMBER
Day Registration | VIRTUALNON MEMBER
Day Registration | VIRTUALOnline Registrations Have Now Closed.
For Late Registrations or Dinner Tickets, please email US
Payment:
Online Credit Card
VISA and Mastercard accepted
Please note that credit card payments incur a 1.85% fee for Mastercard and 2% fee for VISA which is charged on your Tax Invoice.
Request an Invoice
A tax invoice will be sent via e-mail to the contact person nominated in your registration.
All prices are quoted in Australian dollars (inclusive of GST).
Please Note:
- Read Event Cancellation Terms & Conditions
- There are separate registration portals for in-person and virtual registrations, and for Members and Non-Members. If your organisation would like to register staff to attend event in-person, and staff to attend the event virtually, then separate registrations are required.
- Group discounts only apply to the total number of registrations per registration type (i.e.: in-person or virtual). Group discounts do not apply to the total number of registrations.
- Group registrations must be processed in the one registration for the relevant group discounts to apply. Please have contact details for all your registrants ready before commencing your online registration.
- You will require a user account to begin the online registration process. If you registered for a user account for the 2019 NESA National Conference, you can use the same log in details or you can reset your password.
- If you are not sure if your organisation is a NESA member, please contact events@nesa.com.au with your request.
- If you have any questions regarding your online registration, please contact the NESA team via events@nesa.com.au.
Event ACCOMMODATION
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/National-Conf-2021-Conference-Venue-Accomm-banner.png)
QT CANBERRA (Event Venue)
Note: QT Canberra is now fully booked.
NOVOTEL CANBERRA - SPECIAL RATES
Special rates are also available for the Novotel Canberra and a special link to book is provided to conference registrants after completing the online registration.
You can also contact NESA via events@nesa.com.au or call 03 9624 2300 to request the details on how to access the special rates.
ALTERNATIVE ACCOMODATION OPTIONS
Walking distance of QT:
5-star
4-star
- Nesuto
- Crown Plaza
- Quest Apartments
- Ovolo Nishi
- Peppers
- A by Adina
- Breakfree Capital
- Canberra Wide Apartments
- Accommodate Canberra
3-star
2021 PRE-CONFERENCE MASTERCLASS
Digital transformation salon - global trends in hybrid employment service delivery
Monday 7 JUNE 2021 | QT CANBERRA
3.30pm – 5.00pm AEST
HYBRID EVENT – Register to attend in-person or virtually.
Employment services all over the world are firefighting the immediate labour market impact of Covid-19 and bracing for a future world of work with the after-effects of lockdowns, but also with the potential of digitization and growth. Digital tools are a great help in making employment accessible and skills more visible, if you know how to use them and when to better stick with face-to-face services. This salon offers an overview of what successful employment services from different parts of the world are currently using or planning to develop in hybrid services to their clients.
Member rate = $330PP (GST Inclusive)
Non-Member rate = $396PP (GST Inclusive)
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/National-Conference-2021-Social-Media-12.png)
THANK YOU TO OUR AWARD SPONSORS
CLICK THE LOGO TO VIEW COMPANY PROFILES
![NESA Conference Coffee Cart](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Coffee-Cart.jpg)
Sponsorship Opportunities
A Conference is a complicated affair with lots of moving parts. Sponsorship opportunities exist throughout the event, from the Coffee Cart and a Recharge Station up to sponsoring the Gala Awards Dinner or a Plenary Speaker. Click below for more information.
2021 NESA Awards for Excellence
thank you to all the nominees and congratulations to all our awards WINNERS AND finalists!
![NESA Awards for Excellence 2021 - Winners and Finalists](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NESA-Gala-Ball-8818-1024x562.jpg)
AWARD winners 2021
Achiever of the Year
Supported by NESA
Category Description:
This Award recognises This Award recognises a former job seeker who has overcome extraordinary disadvantage to achieve employment.
WINNER: jascinta jones - nominated by atwork australia
EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR
SUPPORTED by Aware Super
Category Description:
This Award recognises employment services professionals who demonstrate excellence in helping disadvantaged Australians to achieve employment inclusion.
WINNER: emily markham - nominated by matchworks
CHAMPION EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Supported by JOBSBANK
Category Description:
This Award recognises employers who demonstrate excellence in employment inclusion of disadvantaged job seekers.
winner: angie's domestic duties - nominated by help employment & training
Innovation in Disability Employment
Supported by JOBACCESS
Category Description:
This Award recognises employment service providers, employment organisations and/or employers using innovative service strategies or initiatives that contribute to the employment inclusion of people with a disability.
WINNER: gradwise team - nominated by wise employment
Importance of the Awards
Since their implementation in 2004, the NESA Awards for Excellence have highlighted the commitment the employment services sector has made to improve individuals’, families’ and our communities’ economic and social well-being through employment inclusion. The Awards are an opportunity to showcase employment services providers’ service delivery strategies and innovation excellence, and the very real impacts that result from their efforts.
The NESA Awards for Excellence:
- Foster high standards and provide a benchmark for excellence within the employment services sector
- Recognise employers who demonstrate excellence in the recruitment and retention of disadvantaged job seekers in partnership with employment services providers
- Encourage employers to adopt and support employment services programs
- Honour job seekers who have overcome disadvantage to obtain and sustain employment
- Provide role models for other job seekers
- Recognise employment services professionals who demonstrate excellence in the conduct of their role
- Promote professional development within the employment services sector
- Enlighten the wider community about the adversity and disadvantage that are experienced by unemployed people and the effort required to overcome barriers to achieve employment
- Reinforce the value of the sector, fostering job seeker, employer and public confidence
Award Finalist Benefits
- The right to use NESA’s Awards Seal on collateral for two years
- Promotion in national, state and local media
- A high quality, framed certificate for all finalists
- Greater recognition within the sector and with key external stakeholders
- Invitation to the VIP-only Champion’s Reception held immediately prior to the Gala Awards Dinner
- One ticket to attend the Gala Awards Dinner for each finalist or finalist representative
- The finalists for Employment Consultant, Achiever of the Year and Innovation in Disability Employment are provided with travel** and one night’s accommodation to attend the NESA Awards for Excellence Ceremony.
In addition to Finalist Benefits, Winners of each Award Category Receive:
- A prestigious Award Trophy
- An Awards Seal and guidelines for use to promote the win
- Promotion on NESA’s website and inclusion in the Annual Report
- Additional PR campaigns
The Employment Consultant who nominated the Achiever of the Year is also provided travel and one night’s accommodation to accompany their nominee to the NESA Awards for Excellence.
All required airfares are return economy from the finalist’s closest major, regional or metropolitan airport.
Transport to and from the airport and event venue are at the nominee’s expense.
Champion Employer of the Year finalists do not receive travel or accommodation to attend the NESA Awards for Excellence
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Innovation-in-Disability-Employment-Help-Employment-and-Training-Toowoomba-768x512.jpg)
![Champion Employer of the Year Hume Doors and Timber (VIC)](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Champion-Employer-of-the-Year-Hume-Doors-and-Timber-VIC-768x512.jpg)
![Achiever of the Year Abu Zahih Wahidi](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Achiever-of-the-Year-Abu-Zahih-Wahidi-768x512.jpg)
![Employment Consultant of the Year Annie Crasti](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Employment-Consultant-of-the-Year-Annie-Crasti-768x512.jpg)
The Awards Winners will be
announced at the NESA
Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner
Tuesday 8 June 2021
QT CANBERRA
Entry Rules and Guidelines
Overarching Eligibility
- All Awards relate to activities undertaken during the qualifying period 1 July 2019 – 31 March 2021
- All Awards are open to current NESA members and the job seekers and employers assisted by them
- All Awards are open to employment service providers delivering any Australian Federal Government contracted employment service or program
- Nominees must also meet the specific eligibility requirements for the Award category in which they are nominated
- All submissions and supporting information are treated as confidential
- Assessment of nominations is managed according to the NESA Awards for Excellence Judging Process
- Multiple nominations are permitted and encouraged with a separate submission required for each nomination
- Where a team is eligible to be nominated in an Award category, “team” is defined as:
o At least 2 people working together to achieve specified outcomes
o An entire branch or office
o A geographically based group i.e. regional or employment area
o A work group with an ongoing role in the organisation, or a time-limited group formed to achieve a specified purpose or outcomes e.g. project team
By submitting a nomination to the NESA Awards for Excellence, you:
- Give permission to NESA and its Awards Convenors to describe your achievements at the Gala Awards Dinner and to promote your achievements to the media
- Understand that your identity and that of the submitting organisation will be disclosed during the Awards process
- Are granting NESA permission to reproduce supplied photographs (except where otherwise requested), the organisation’s logo and non-pecuniary information from your submission
- Understand that your contact details may be shared with official members of the media pursuing legitimate stories regarding award nomination
- Agree to abide by the judging panel decisions and accept that there will be no appeals
- Agree to attend the Awards presentation in person or virtually subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions or personal circumstances.
Note: NESA or its Awards Convenors will contact finalists for the Achiever of the Year category or their representatives to review the nomination and agree on the information that is permitted to be shared with the media or used in NESA communications.
NESA retains the right to:
- Contact finalists prior to the Awards presentation if deemed necessary
- Withdraw the granting of a particular honour if the award entrant or nominated representative is not present to accept that award in person or virtually
- 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.
Nominations must include:
- An answer to each criterion
- Uploaded files where they have been requested
- A quality head and shoulders photograph or image of the nominee for individual nominees, or a quality group photograph or image for team nominees if applicable
All Awards are open to NESA members
who are delivering any Australian Federal Government contracted
employment service or program
HOW TO SUBMIT
Award nominations are submitted online; via separate online portals for each Award Category, accessed via the SUBMIT NOW buttons above.
Before you start the online submission process, please ensure that:
- You have reviewed and meet the Overarching Award Eligibility Criteria, as well as the eligibility requirements for the award category which you are nominating
- You have read the Criteria for the award category which you are nominating
- You have read the Entry Rules and Guidelines
Instructions and tips for how to submit:
The online submission form must be completed in one pass; you cannot save a partial response and return to it later.
Please have the following information prepared, before starting your online submission.
- Photo of the entrant (where required)
- Contact details of the primary person responsible for the submission
- Criteria responses, including any documents for upload.
- In your criteria responses, please refer to your organisation using exactly the same name that is entered in the “Nominating Organisation” field in the nomination form. Do not use abbreviations, alternative trading names or shortened forms.
- For any criteria with a word limit provided, please have your responses prepared in a separate electronic text document that you can then copy and paste into each individual text box in the online submission form. Your response/s will not be accepted if you exceed the word limit. Your word count is displayed for each response.
- Supporting material – You may provide up to five A4 pages of evidence to support the claims made in the nomination. Please combine all supporting material into a single document (.pdf or MSOffice files). Cross-referencing supporting material in the criteria response is essential. Supporting information may include, but is not limited to, photos, data, graphs, and copies of commendations or other letters of recognition.
- Any documents to be uploaded must not exceed 10MB per file.
Upon completion of your submission, an e-mail will automatically be sent to the primary person (nominated in your submission) to confirm successful receipt of your nomination. The confirmation e-mail will include a copy of your submission, including file attachments for your own records.
(If you do not receive the confirmation e-mail immediately, please check your e-mail Junk folder or SPAM filtering systems prior to contacting NESA on 03 9624 2300.)
IMPORTANT DATES
Applications open: Tue 27 April 2021
NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED:
Achiever of the Year / Champion Employer of the Year / Employment Consultant of the Year/Innovation in Disability Employment
Judging: 17 – 24 May 2021
Finalists announced: 26-27 May 2021
Winners announced (at the Gala Awards Dinner): Tue 8 June 2021
By placing an entry in the Awards, the submitting site / organisation is confirming their commitment for a nominating Employment Consultant to attend the Awards for Excellence in-person (or virtually upon special request) on Tuesday 8 June at the QT Hotel in Canberra.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED...
Your organisation may be eligible for more than one award?
AWARDS JUDGING
The NESA Awards for Excellence judging process is rigorous, transparent, and taken very seriously by the Independent Judging Panel. Judges invited to participate in the Awards are people who have notable expertise in relevant areas such as recruitment, business, health, community services and social inclusion. Revision of the Award assessment process occurs annually to ensure we uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Every nomination is subject to a comprehensive and rigorous assessment process using a standardised scoring and weighting system with auditing, variance and due diligence checks to ensure consistency with the Award criteria. NESA announces a maximum of three finalists for each award category. The judging panel will exclude nominations that do not achieve an acceptable benchmark score from the determination of finalists. At their discretion, the judging panel may identify nominations worthy of additional commendation, recognition or Award. A panel of at least two judges, including an Award Convenor, undertakes assessment of each Award category. Each judge independently assesses each nomination in the category, scoring each criterion and providing written comments including feedback on how to strengthen the nomination.
After assessment of all nominations for the category are complete, the Award Convenors conduct an audit, crosschecking all scores given by the category judging panel to identify instances where scoring is discordant. Where this occurs, Award Convenors review the nomination before contacting the judge(s) to discuss the rationale for their score. As appropriate, the Award Convenor may convene a deliberation conference to discuss the nomination(s) or criteria for which scoring has been discordant and/or request a re-assessment by one or more judges.
Following finalisation of the assessment process, the top three nominations are announced as Award category finalists. Announcement of Award winners of each category occurs at the Gala Awards Dinner held in conjunction with the NESA National Conference.
NESA staff support the judging process but do not participate in the assessment of or review nominations. Management of nominations occurs with strict confidentiality processes in place.
INTRODUCING THE JUDGING PANEL
Sean Armistead
Sean Armistead is an Indigenous executive with experience in strategy and innovation across corporate, government and Indigenous community sectors.
He has worked with many of Australia’s top brands; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, CareerTrackers, Hewlett Packard (Asia Pacific), KPMG and Crown Resorts.
At a community level:
Chair of Ganbina – Agents of Change, a school to work transition program for Indigenous youth
Board Member of Kinaway Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce
Board Member of Killara Foundation
Council Member of University of Melbourne Alumni Council
Cofounder and former Board member of CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program. Former Board of Worawa Aboriginal College, Tarwirri Indigenous Lawyers Association.
Sean is currently Executive Director at Indigenous Business Australia.
Michelle Crawford
Michelle Crawford has extensive experience in senior executive roles in the private and the not-for-profit sector. She is currently CEO of Concern Australia, an organisation with a rich legacy of working with vulnerable young people and children in the areas of education; housing and homelessness; and youth justice (www.conceraustralia.org.au)
Michelle’s wealth of operational knowledge and governance experience, has enabled her to grow and develop Concern Australia into a strong, sustainable and innovative organisation. Her expertise and knowledge is grounded in management policy and practice roles spanning several specialised areas including employment, recruitment, education, training, microfinance and financial inclusion.
She is well networked and known for her commitment to working in partnership with others. Her experience includes facilitating and overseeing complex partnerships with corporates, governments, donors and community organisations domestically and internationally.
Michelle is passionate about practical and innovative responses that are developed and delivered by community, for community. She has a strong commitment to addressing injustice and inequality and a a passion for enriching the lives of others.
Michelle is currently participating in the Williamson Community Leadership Program run by Leadership Victoria, has a Masters in Social Science, Graduate Diploma in Adult Education, and a Bachelor of Business. She is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and currently serves as a Director on the Boards of First Nations Foundation and Union Housing. Michelle is also an alumni of the Cranlana Program and a dedicated Rotarian.
Dr. Peter Laver, AM
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.
<br><br>
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.
Judges' Top Five Tips
Tip 1.
Take time to read and understand the criteria thoroughly – analyse the criteria to ensure you understand exactly what is required in your response. If you are unsure clarify the criteria with NESA.
Tip 2.
Make sure your response fully addresses the criteria. For instance, if a question asks you to provide a timeline then ensure you detail the response chronologically.
Tip 3.
Avoid writing expansive, sweeping claims or generic declarations. Such statements actually undermine the strength of a nomination, as typically, they contain very little substance and cannot be either proven or disputed.
Tip 4.
Be specific about your or the nominee’s achievements. Provide evidence to support your claims against the criteria and wherever possible use more than one statistic to prove the point. There are many forms of evidence that you can use to support your claims; data, performance reports, letters of commendation, case studies or examples – choose the form that best relates to the criterion and if the criterion asks for specific evidence e.g. data or a case study, provide what is asked for. If you use the option to upload supporting material, ensure you cross-reference the evidence in the criteria responses and clearly title the uploaded attachment.
Tip 5.
If you are writing about yourself, then be yourself. Judges want to get to know you from the pages of your nomination. They want to gain insight into the type of person you are e.g. your values and passion for what you do. If you are writing about someone else be sure to capture the real person in the nomination. We recommend that completion of nominations occur in partnership with nominees to ensure as much information about them as possible is captured in your submission.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED...
Your organisation may be eligible for more than one award?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are the Awards open to all employment programs?
The NESA Awards are to honour the work of the entire employment services sector and open to all NESA Member providers delivering any Australian Government contracted employment service or program.
This includes providers delivering major employment service programs:
jobactive (including complementary programs such as Career Transition Assistance; Transition to Work; Youth Jobs PaTH; ParentsNext; NEIS; Time to Work, Disability Employment Services (DES) and the Community Development Program (CDP).
The Awards cover all employment programs however please check each award category description and specific eligibility criteria.
Can I enter multiple candidates for one award?
Yes. NESA member organisations are encouraged to enter more than one nomination within a category.
Can I enter one candidate in more than one award?
Yes. NESA member organisations are encouraged to enter nominees across all categories for which they are eligible however, a unique submission is required for each award.
Can I re-enter a candidate from previous years?
Yes, provided the candidate met the eligibility criteria.
Can we submit a few days late?
No. In the interest of fairness to all participants, no late entries will be accepted.
Who can I ask questions about the Awards?
NESA staff do not participate in the assessment of nominations and are available to answer general questions about the Awards, Award Categories, Criteria and lodgement of your nomination. In the interest of fairness and transparency questions lodged with NESA will be shared via the FAQ to ensure all potential nominees have access to the information.
The former job seeker that I would like to nominate for the Achiever of the Year award will only have completed their 13 week outcome by the closing date of the nominations. Are they still eligible for nomination?
Yes they are still eligible for nomination, however their nomination may not be scored highly in comparison to other nominated job seekers who have completed their full 26 week employment outcome.
Can videos be submitted as part of my nomination?
No, video files or online links to videos will not be accepted as part of nomination criteria or as supporting material.
Changes to Criterion 3 for the Champion Employer of the Year Award
Please note that the time periods requested in this Criterion have been updated.
CONTACT US
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
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NESA Webinar
Empowering People to Get Back to Work
Friday 11 June 2021
2.00pm AEST (1.30pm in SA & NT, and 12 noon in WA)
TARGET GROUP
All staff
SUMMARY
Understanding those that have faced long term unemployment is vital to help them re-join the workforce.
There will be barriers to cross and resistance to manage, however with the right processes and collaboration, you can encourage your clients to take the steps they need to start working again.
You will learn
- How to build rapport with your clients
- ‘The barriers your clients face
- How to break through a resistance to change
- To help your client build a mindset of success
- Methods to engage and motivate your clients
- Collaborative methods to work together effectively
- How to get your clients to take responsibility and to take action
Facilitator
Kevin Kosky
As an award winning speaker and business skills trainer, Kevin utilises his experience from the entertainment industry to present interactive and engaging training sessions. Kevin is passionate about personal empowerment and business improvement, which he believes go hand in hand to produce successful results. Currently Kevin is the sales and business skills trainer working for Dynamo Selling.
Kevin launched and operated a number of different businesses over a 30 year period in a variety of industries including: entertainment, hospitality, internet applications, building maintenance, garden and nursery, supply chain, self-storage, RTO accredited training, and corporate education.
Kevin also the teaches business, employability and personal development skills, for both the national and international markets.
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Kevin-Kosky-205x300.jpg)
cost
OTHER
This live broadcast will include ample Q&A time. It is expected to run for no more than an hour.
Registrants will receive a PDF copy of the presentation, and participants, a certificate
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
Performance Management for New Leaders and Other Beginners coaching program
Wednesday 16, 23, & 30 June 2021
Starts 2.00pm AEST (1.30pm in SA, & NT and 12 noon in WA)
TARGET GROUP
All managers, team leaders and aspiring mangers
SUMMARY
The mere mention of the term ‘performance management’ is enough to send a shiver up the spine of new managers/team leaders and their staff. Many of us immediately think of nerve-wracking performance appraisals and sleepless nights prior to those underperformance discussions. It doesn’t have to be like this.
This 3-part coaching program introduces new team leaders, and those looking for new ideas or to benchmark, to some of the key elements of performance management. While Most providers will have extensive HR assistance and Performance Management Frameworks, this coaching program focuses on an inclusive outcome centred approach to addressing, rewarding or re-aligning staff performance.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Session 1 – Performance Management Framework? It’s much more than a Performance Agreement! – Wednesday 16 June 2021 at 2.00pm AEST (1.30pm SA & NT and 12 noon WA)
In this session we’ll look at performance management and why it’s so important to the success of an organisation. Good performance management is like preventative medicine: people and organisations can thrive, and costs of solving staffing problems are reduced. What does good performance management look like? What does a good Performance Agreement look like? We’ll talk about it today.
We’ll also commence work on our coaching program project – to develop a Performance Agreement template for frontline staff.
Session 2 – Performance Appraisal and Managing Under Performance – Wednesday 23 June 2021 at 2.00pm AEST (1.30pm SA & NT and 12 noon WA)
A good Performance Management Framework allows people and organisations to flourish. Performance Appraisal is an integral part of the ongoing performance management process. Most of us are good at good news. Sometimes, however, there will be performance issues that we need to address. In a few cases we may need to work through a more formal under performance management process. In today’s session we’ll look at the Performance Appraisal process and managing under performance.
Session 3 – Over to You…. – Wednesday 30 June 2021 at 2.00pm AEST (1.30pm SA & NT and 12 noon WA)
Over the last two weeks participants have been developing a Performance Agreement template for the ‘employment consultant role’. Today is ‘show and tell’ day! What performance indicators did you include in your template? How will you measure performance, and what will your evidence sources be?
Facilitator
Damien Opolski
Many of you will know Damien from his time as the director of the Department’s Learning Centre. Over the years he’s played a key role in the delivery of both policy and systems information, training and performance management. If you’ve been in the sector for a while you’ve most likely seen him at an information session or heard him via webinar. In this role he was responsible for the performance of up to 150 staff.
Earlier in his career he spent a number of years on the ‘front line; Damien estimates that he has conducted over 10,000 job seeker interviews and worked with hundreds of employers.
Damien is an excellent communicator, who enjoys interacting and sharing his system expertise with his audience.
Damien has a Bachelor of Economics from Adelaide University, as well as Diplomas in Training and Assessment, and Project Management. He’s also a qualified Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages.”
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Damien-Opolski-Blue-Circle-300x300.png)
cost
OTHER
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
NESA Webinar
Planning Pathways to Outcomes
Thursday 17 June 2021
2.00pm AEST (1.30pm in SA & NT and 12 noon in WA)
TARGET GROUP
Frontline
SUMMARY
This webinar is aimed at staff who are meeting with job seekers regularly. Setting goals and strategies for helping job seekers develop their readiness to take up employment is what our sector is all about. In some instances the strategies will be as simple as targeted marketing of employers. However, for those job seekers who have been out of work for some time or who live in recessed labour markets, a longer term approach needs to be taken to helping those job seekers prepare for work.
Listen to the WA president of the Career Development Association of Australia, Rebecca Herbertson discuss:
- The importance of always having an agenda and what this might look like
- Magic Questions – Start of the process
- The art of Goal setting with job seekers
- Reverse career pathway planning
- The simple career pathway
- The action planning process
Facilitator
Rebecca Herbertson
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Psychology, a Graduate Certificate in Career Development and other qualifications in Training, Management and Human Resources. With over fifteen years’ experience working in Employment Services and nine years delivering industry training, Rebecca is able to relay her knowledge and experience using a common sense approach and an informal manner which is popular with her clients. Her Employment Services work has primarily involved facilitating the Certificate IV in Employment Services throughout Western Australia and assisting organisations with other business needs such as tender writing and policy development. Currently the Director of Training and Compliance at the Betterlink Group, a Western Australian based RTO, she is also the WA president of the Career Development Association of Australia, an internationally certified Continuous Improvement Coach, SME Executive Coach and NLP Practitioner.
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Rebecca-Herbertson-Blue-Circle.png)
cost
OTHER
This live broadcast will include ample Q&A time. It is expected to run for no more than an hour.
A PDF copy of the presentation will be distributed to all registrants and a certificate on completion.
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
NESA Webinar
Understanding Mental Health
Friday 18 June 2021
12 noon AEST (11.30am in SA & NT, and 10.00am WA)
TARGET GROUP
All staff
SUMMARY
Mental health problems are all too common in our communities, so it is important that we seek to avoid language that could trigger episodes or make matters worse. In addition, front line staff will come across situations where a client needs immediate assistance.
The aim of this webinar is to provide you with information so you can feel comfortable about how you respond to a person with a mental health issue. Tune in and listen to Sharon comprehensively discuss and answer your questions on responding to and supporting a person with a mental health condition within a customer services environment.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
- How social norms are formed
- How to speak and interact to avoid triggering episodes or making matters worse
- When something is not quite right
- Referral and follow up
- Helping yourself – by building an affirming workplace culture
Facilitator
Sharon Mamo
Sharon is a qualified human services program designer and lecturer with many years of experience in Human Resources. For the last 5 years she has focused on researching and working with disengaged job seekers and their complex needs. Sharon combines clinical psychotherapy and professionalism with a natural and down-to-earth approach. Sharon is a qualified Drug and Alcohol Facilitator, Psychotherapist & Social Sciences Professional. She has worked as a psychotherapist in employment services for almost 10 years.
As an expert in encouraging mandated and resistant clients to change, she keynotes at national conferences on topics of behavioural change, AOD, mental health and neuropsychotherapy.
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Sharon-Mamo-Blue-Circle-300x300.png)
cost
OTHER
This live broadcast will include ample Q&A time. It is expected to run for no more than an hour.
A PDF copy of the presentation will be distributed to all registrants, and certificate for participants.
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL
NESA Webinar
Problem Solving at Work
Friday 25 June 2021
2.00pm AEST (1.30pm SA & NT and 12 noon in WA)
TARGET GROUP
All staff
SUMMARY
Being an active problem solver at work is an effective way to build your employability skills and to become an attractive asset for any employer. Learning the best methods to find the right solutions for work problems
is a valuable skill to develop, and you will be able to pass these skills onto your clients and to your team.
you will learn
- The value of being solution focussed
- The mindset of finding successful solutions
- Problem solving processes and systems
- Organising your time and tasks
- To negotiate with a winning communication style
- How to teach problem solving to your team and to your clients
Facilitator
kevin kosky
As an award winning speaker and business skills trainer, Kevin utilises his experience from the entertainment industry to present interactive and engaging training sessions. Kevin is passionate about personal empowerment and business improvement, which he believes go hand in hand to produce successful results. Currently Kevin is the sales and business skills trainer working for Dynamo Selling.
Kevin launched and operated a number of different businesses over a 30 year period in a variety of industries including: entertainment, hospitality, internet applications, building maintenance, garden and nursery, supply chain, self-storage, RTO accredited training, and corporate education.
Kevin also the teaches business, employability and personal development skills, for both the national and international markets.
![](https://nesa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Kevin-Kosky-205x300.jpg)
cost
OTHER
This live broadcast will include ample Q&A time. It is expected to run for no more than an hour.
Registrants will receive a PDF copy of the presentation, and participants a certificate
CONTACT US
For further information on NESA PD training events please contact Max Croft: +61 3 9624 2311 | EMAIL