Career Pathways Project: NSW Workplace Case Studies Report

Abstract

Expanding and strengthening the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professional workforce is recognised as crucial for improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Career Pathways Project is an Aboriginal-led research project funded by the Lowitja Institute. Its purpose is to provide insight and guidance to enhance the capacity of the health system to retain and support the development and careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the health workforce. The national project has several components. This report presents the methods and findings of the workplace-based case studies conducted in New South Wales (NSW). The aim of the workplace-based case studies was to collect ground-level data from urban, regional, rural and remote regions of NSW. A series of 28 yarning circles and 6 interviews were held with Aboriginal health staff and their managers at both Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and Government health services (including Local Health Districts and a Primary Health Network). This allowed us to explore in depth the factors impacting on careers whilst using a solutions-focus to generate a range of potential strategies for enhancing career pathways