Culturally Competent Workplace Mentoring

It is important to remember history when working with Indigenous communities. Many Indigenous Australians may, understandably, have caution, suspicion or mistrust of non-Indigenous people who want to do things for them or control them.

MEEA’s workplace mentors have a strong understanding that not all Indigenous people and communities are the same, and have a strong awareness and understanding of the diversity of many cultural groups within a community.

For most people their understanding of Indigenous history, communities and issues comes from non-Indigenous experts such as politicians, the media, teachers, our family and friends. It is important to remember that many assumptions are based on non-Indigenous opinions and experiences and can be inaccurate or even racist. MEEA takes the time to hear the views of Indigenous people and learning from their stories.

MEEA’s mentoring framework integrates a holistic service delivery model that is innovative, cost effective, flexible and highly responsive to the individual needs of Indigenous job seekers. This approach links mentees to; counselling, peer support, housing, wellbeing, intensive drug and alcohol assistance, financial assistance and life skills development.

The holistic service delivery approach seeks to address the multiple barriers to sustainable employment faced by many Indigenous job seekers; this is achieved through a considerate, action based support network established through community relationships and service agreements.
Mentoring
Workplace mentoring through culturally competent mentors is important in assisting Indigenous employees sustain employment and enhance workforce union.

Mentoring has a strong role to play in assisting disadvantaged minorities to improve labour economic participation. Culturally competent mentoring programmes are successful in recruiting, training and placing Indigenous Australian job seekers into employment.

MEEA’s Indigenous Workforce Mentoring Programme is driven by a combination of mentoring and coaching methodologies. This combination is proven to be very successful in developing the self determination of Indigenous mentees whilst providing industry employers with underpinning knowledge of Indigenous Australians.