THE Australian Government has added more than 200 organisations to its list of credentialed providers of Indigenous employment and training services with the aim of halving the employment gap between indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by 2018.

The list is part of the government’s $650 million Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) and was further developed after the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) announced it would appoint providers for two IEP panels for the period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2015.

One Panel is the IEP Employment Panel and the other is the IEP Economic Development and Business Support Panel.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Julie Collins said the providers will focus on how to achieve the best employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

“This expansion will result in a greater pool of talent tendering to deliver employment programs for Indigenous Australians and for businesses looking to employ Indigenous job seekers,” Ms Collins said.

“Adding new talent to the IEP panels will ensure employers and job seekers can access the best support and services to meet their needs.”

Ms Collins said members of the Employment Panel are expected to have the skills, knowledge and expertise necessary to deliver sustainable employment opportunities.

Services provided through the Economic Development and Business Support Panel have the capacity to foster and support enterprises from conception and as they grow.

The Employment Panel will gain 174 new members, while the Economic Development and Business Support Panel will now have an extra 98.

The current 441 panel members have been offered an extension of their current IEP Panel Deeds until 30 June 2015.

Click here for more information on the Indigenous Employment Program, including a full list of successful organizations appointed by the IEP panels.