a successful indigenous business
DESCRIPTION
YBE is a success story that is little known. operating in Arnhem land, the company has overcome many obstacles. If governments and companies want to increase indigenous employment in comapnies like these they need to give them preference in the tender process because of the many factors that increase costs. The benefits of Indigenous employment far outweigh the marginal increase in costs.TRANSCRIPT
YBE(2) PTY LTD
New Australians Working Together Look to the Future
YBE Statement of Purpose
YBE trains, employs and provides career opportunities for the Yolŋu people of north-east Arnhem Land.
Operating profitably and effectively, YBE gives excellent service to its customers in civil engineering, mine site rehabilitation, building, environmental management and other businesses.
YBE Values
•Gardaman (Professionalism)
•Ŋayaŋu Waŋgany (Collaboration)
•.Mäwayamirr (Harmony)
•Näthilyun Nhama (Look to The Future)
Ownership of YBE
The Board of Directors – the 25 clan leaders
The Executive Board
The Company
The owners – the 25 clans of north east Arnhem Land
Legal and FinancialAdvisors
YBE Operation
•Established 1968
•Pty Ltd Co pays Co tax
•Not an Association or •Government funded
•Not CDEP
•90 employees, 38 Yolŋu
YBE – Financial Performance
DEBT EQUITY PROFIT
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Major Contracts
Alcan Alliance
Ore HaulageResidue Disposal AreaMiscellaneous Works
DIPE Period ContractsRoad maintenanceBuilding maintenance
YBE Organisation
CHIEFEXECUTIVE OFFICER
Rocky Bay
Workshop
HR/OHS/TRG
Manager HR, Rocky Bay, Workshop
WorksManager
Earthworks
Road Crew
Residue Disposal Area
Tree Lopping
Nursery
Grounds Maint
A/ Manager Environment
Fencing
Plumbing
BusinessManager
Accounts/Payroll
Administration
Nambara Arts
Building Services
OperationsManager
Rocky Bay
Residue Disposal Area
Roads and Airfields
Nursery/Gardening
Fencing
Grounds Maintenance
Tree Lopping
Arts and Crafts
Barriers to employment
• Background factors
• Economic attitudes
• Education
• Education
• Education
Background factors and economic attitudes affecting employment
• Low levels of education and training
• Dependence on Government services
• Distribution of wealth through reciprocal giving (humbug)
• Kinship obligations and involvement in spiritual and ceremonial activities
Sources: Black Fella Boss (Cowlishaw); North-South in Australia (Penny and Moriarty)
Background factors and economic attitudes affecting employment
• Lack of commitment to material possessions
• Inequality of wealth generally unacceptable
• Mutual cooperation rather than competitiveness.
• Thriftiness and parsimony are considered vices
• Health
Sources: Black Fella Boss (Cowlishaw); North-South in Australia (Penny and Moriarty)
Education factors affecting employment
• Deteriorating outcomes…poor attendance.
• Long term systemic failure to address attendance
• A number of complex, long standing issues
• Inadequate partnerships between parents, communities, peak bodies and governments
Source: Learning Lessons (The Collins Report)
Source of additional overheadsassociated with employment of Yolŋu
• Transportation required to and from work.
• Higher level of administration.
• Close supervision and mentoring required.
• Poor English.
Source of additional overheadsassociated with employment of Yolŋu
• Ceremonial and kinship obligations.
• Poor understanding of general work practice.
• Preference for part-time work.
• General unwillingness to work long hours.
If Government and industry want to improve Indigenous employment they need to take these factors into account when awarding contracts, because it will take a long time for Indigenous companies to become price competitive.
The End – look to the future