Funding to improve workplace diversity
13 March 2009
Owners and managers of Australian businesses will come together for practical training and consultations on cultural diversity in the workplace, the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, announced today.
Mr Ferguson said the Australian Government would provide $120 000 over two years for the Cultural Diversity Management Pilot Training Program to assist Australian business to recognise, encourage and promote cultural diversity in their workplaces.
‘Australia's diversity is a source of national strength and an asset to Australian industries,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘It is important that Australian businesses employ the benefits of our diversity and acknowledge its economic and social contribution.
‘The project will help participating organisations to develop strategies to overcome real or perceived barriers to implementing cultural diversity management practices.’
The Cultural Diversity Management Pilot Training Program will be run by the Australian Multicultural Foundation in association with Robert Bean Consulting and involve:
- extensive business consultation
- four workshops in Adelaide and Melbourne
- the development of training resources
- a longitudinal study of participants to assess the impact of training in workplaces.
Training will draw on a wide range of resources including recent Australian publications on cultural diversity management.
The project is funded under the new Diverse Australia Program which provides funding for community relations programs around Australia.
More information about the Diverse Australia Program can be found at www.harmony.gov.au
Media contact: Carla Wilshire 0432 755 935
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2009/lf09012.htm
Last update: 13 March 2009 at 12:53 AEST