​As at 28 November 2011.

Top level target for Jobs NT

Target: Territory labour force participation exceeds national participation rates

In 2010-11, the Northern Territory participation rate averaged 72.8% and the national rate was 65.7%. In October 2011, the NT had the highest participation rate in Australia of 73.7%. 

Priority groups

Business and employers

Target: The Territory continues to grow the size and skills of the workforce

In 2010-11, the number of employed people in the Territory increased by 2.0% to 122 300. In 2010, the proportion of Territorians with a qualification at or above Certificate III increased by 2.7 percentage points to 48.2%.

Highlights

  • Through the department’s support programs, more than 370 participants attended 35 workshops in the areas of up-skilling and business coaching during the past financial year.
  • In the past financial year, 116 Territory business growth programs were completed for 103 businesses, providing support to enhance business performance, profitability, employment levels and market penetration.
  • Through the Productivity Places Program, there were 245 job seeker commencements, 112 job seeker completions, 369 existing worker commencements, and 237 existing worker completions, which also includes Indigenous workers and job seekers.
  • The Territory Worker Database continues to attract workers interested in employment in the NT, with 3039 potential employees registered from July 2010 to June 2011.
  • In the past financial year, there were 1473 nominations for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme which will see skilled workers and their families make the Territory their home.

Indigenous employment

​Target: 3000 Indigenous Territorians commencing in employment across the public and private sectors in the three years to 2012 (Indigenous Economic Development Strategy 2009-2012)

The target of 3000 has been exceeded. This was achieved through three programs: Northern Territory Public Sector (916 commenced), Strategic Indigenous Housing Infrastructure Program (1082 commenced) and apprentices / trainees (1949 commenced).

Highlights

  • The Strategic Indigenous Housing Infrastructure Program set a target of 20% Indigenous employment and this is being exceeded with a current achievement of 29% across the program.
  • Approximately 100 Indigenous students were supported between January and June 2011 through the pre-employment program. The program provides training that leads to increased opportunities to successfully complete an apprenticeship or gain skilled employment.
  • Fourteen of the 24 students who started first year medicine through the NT Medical Program in 2011 were Indigenous, 10 based in the NT and four in South Australia. Each of the students has already completed at least a Batchelor degree in another field. The initial target for this program has been achieved and contributes towards the target of 40 graduates annually from the establishment of the NT Medical School, a program in partnership with the Australian Government, Flinders University, Charles Darwin University and Royal Darwin Hospital. On completion of their medical degree, this group of Indigenous graduates has the potential to transform the health workforce in the NT.
  • The NT Government continues to increase, maintain and enhance skills to Indigenous Territorians through various programs such as Jobs Guarantee, and an increase in NT Public Sector numbers and supporting shires.
  • The Indigenous Employment Program provides an opportunity for trainees to undertake a targeted training program that incorporates accredited vocational training. The program has provided an opportunity to 111 Indigenous people to start a career path with the NT Government since 2009. Seventy two people have successfully completed the program and eight are currently in a training program. The overall successful completion rate for the program is 75%. The 2010/11 budget transitioned 56 Indigenous people into employment in the NT Government.
  • To November 2011, the Indigenous Training for Employment Program has delivered 1232 separate opportunities for Indigenous Territorians to achieve employment outcomes (through a combination of jobs, training, career enhancement or industry employment opportunities).

Young people

Target: A 5% increase in the number of young Territorians achieving a Year 12 or equivalent Certificate II qualification by 2012 (refers to the Territory population aged 20-24)

The number of young Territorians achieving this target has increased by 8% (from 65.1% to 73.1%).

Highlights

  • Thirty-four schools were awarded enterprise grants consisting of 25 remote, two regional and seven urban schools to facilitate and support school projects designed to develop and implement enterprise activities that enhance VET, enterprise and vocational learning.
  • Eighteen students commenced the school-based apprenticeships in community services and oral health areas with 14 of these being Indigenous.
  • Seventy Indigenous students enrolled in urban Workready programs and 131 Indigenous students enrolled in regional and remote Workready programs.
  • One hundred and forty-two school-based apprentice and trainee commencements, which contributes to the 10 000 apprentice / trainee commencements target.​