a successful indigenous business

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