Upskilling staff to strengthen the path to self-determination for First Nations Victorians is a commendable example of our values of respect and upholding human rights.
Background
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is committed to building First Peoples cultural capability and understanding of self-determination among its employees, so that they are informed in their service to the Victorian community.
To upskill employees, the department offers the Community Services and Self-determination Education series of micro-credentials. On offer are four tertiary-level micro-credentials focussed on sovereignty, nationhood, self-determination, the Stolen Generations and truth-telling.
Challenge
The public sector workforce must be skilled in understanding Victoria’s history, issues uniquely affecting First Peoples, and self-determination.
Through the micro-credentials program, employees can build the foundation from which to identify systemic racism and outdated practices, the tools to create respectful and collaborative partnerships and ways to develop policies and programs that respect Aboriginal First Peoples self-determination.
Result
Three micro-credentials ran in 2024, with an average of 74 learners per micro-credential (a total of 220 learners).
92% of learners rated the micro-credentials either ‘extremely valuable’ or ‘very valuable’, with many now becoming strong advocates for the program.
Since undertaking the micro-credentials learners have prioritised discussions about self-determination, and built it into everyday practice via supervision, agendas, decision making, policy and programs.
Learners have learned to identify and discuss systemic racism and discriminatory policies and practices with their managers, and to continue their learning via a community of practice.