The Federal Government yesterday released the final report on Workforce Australia Employment Services with social enterprise featured predominantly throughout, calling for a Commonwealth social procurement framework and social enterprise strategy.
Social Traders has been advocating for years alongside many others for the recognition of social enterprise and social procurement at Federal level, and we’ve taken a very big step forward.
The Workforce Australia Inquiry is the only ‘first-principles’ review of the employment services system in several decades. It calls for wholesale, large-scale reform to fundamentally rebuild the system, with the guiding vision of enabling all people in Australia to enjoy decent employment and to participate in economic and social life regardless of who they are or where they live.
The report proposes a rebuilt Commonwealth Employment Services System, that recognises social enterprise and activates social procurement. It’s a significant opportunity for our sector - $9.5 billion will be spent on employment services over the next four years – the Commonwealth’s largest single procurement outside Defence.
The report includes a range of game-changing recommendations for social enterprise including:
Commenting on this milestone, Tara Anderson CEO Social Traders said, “Social Traders over the years have been advocating with our sector peers for a Commonwealth social procurement framework and social enterprise strategy. With the release of the Federal Government's final report on Workforce Australia our vision is now becoming a reality, a win worth celebrating.
“The final report includes a range of game-changing recommendations including a Commonwealth social procurement framework, a national social enterprise strategy and endorsement to scaling Social Traders certification.
“The future of the sector is bright. Embedding social enterprise and social procurement in Australia is just one of the ways to help all people in Australia to enjoy decent employment and to participate in economic and social life regardless of their background, their circumstance or where they live. We'll continue to make social enterprise and social procurement business as usual, for a fairer and more equitable Australia.”
For further comments or an interview with Tara Anderson, contact:
Joanne Barrow, Head of Marketing | joanne.barrow@socialtraders.com.au