National Indigenous Cadetship Project (NICP) for employers
What is the National Indigenous Cadetship Project (NICP)? : What is the role of a cadetship employer? : Financial assistance : How to apply for NICP : NICP at a glance : NICP in action : Further information
What is the National Indigenous Cadetship Project (NICP)?
The National Indigenous Cadetship Project (NICP) is aimed at improving the job prospects of Indigenous Australian students.
It links full-time students undertaking a diploma, an advanced diploma or their first undergraduate degree with employers who can give them work placements and ongoing employment once they finish their studies.
What is the role of a cadetship employer?
Cadetship employers:
- provide paid work placements of 12 weeks for each year of the cadetship
- support the cadet through their study and work placements, giving professional guidance and mentorship
- employ cadets under an appropriate industrial instrument
- intend offering ongoing employment to the cadet once they successfully complete their cadetship.
Financial assistance
The NICP provides up to $15 400 per annum to employers to support cadets with a living allowance and study-related costs and offset employer administration costs.
How to apply for NICP
You can register online at the National Indigenous Cadetship Project website or call the Indigenous employment line on 1802 102.
NICP at a glance
- Links Indigenous tertiary students with employers in a cadetship arrangement involving full-time study and work placements.
- Employers give support, professional guidance and mentorship.
- Employers employ cadets under a recognised award or industrial agreement and intend offering ongoing employment on completion of studies.
- NICP provides up to $15 400 per annum to employers to support each cadetship.
NICP in action
Misso Psychology, Consulting and Therapeutic Services
When Misso Psychology, Consulting & Therapeutic Services identified a need for the use of art and creative expression as a therapeutic medium, they turned to NICP. They were interested in providing information to relevant community organisations on Indigenous culture.
We took Marianne Wobcke on as a cadet because we wanted an employee who is gaining a University qualification and who knew our business. As Marianne completes her studies we have an employee that is perfectly suited to our business, said Dave and Donna Misso, Co-Directors, Misso Psychology,Consulting & Therapeutic Services.
Marianne is currently completing her Bachelor of Contemporary Indigenous Art at Griffith University. During the semester Marianne is completing her studies and during university breaks Marianne gains professional experience while working as an Indigenous Community Development Coordinator.
We utilise Marianne’s experience and knowledge on a week to week basis to meet our business needs, say Dave and Donna.
Woodside
Woodside is Australia’s largest publicly traded oil and gas exploration and production company. It was formed in 1954 and has its headquarters in Perth. It has more than 2500 staff.
Woodside employs six Indigenous cadets recruited from universities across Australia who are completing studies in law, human resources, science, engineering, management, business and economics.
The cadetship project gives our company access to prospective employees who are on their way to gaining professional qualifications, said Larry Kickett, Woodside’s Indigenous Employment Adviser.
We are able to recruit a cadet who is completing studies in an area that will
benefit the company, he said.
As part of their work experience, the cadets will use their skills and experience gained at university to assist in work areas such as accounting, human resources, recruitment and training, mechanical engineering and science laboratories.
Since the cadets joined Woodside, their study at university has already
brought a fresh perspective to our organisation, said Larry Kickett.
Further information
You can get further information on NICP from the Indigenous employment line on 1802 102, by visiting the National Indigenous Cadetship Project or emailing nicp@deewr.gov.au.
Download the NICP Employer fact sheet (PDF 420KB)