Improving Indigenous University Completions and Employment Opportunities in the Tertiary Sector (original) (raw)

This chapter examines the broad question of how Indigenous people ‘fit into’ or prepare themselves for the labour market, a key ‘closing the gap’ criterion, here with an emphasis on the tertiary sector. There is, or appears to be, a causal link between the inclusion of Indigenous studies, Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, tangible and intangible heritage (‘Indigenous knowledges’ ), in the general university curriculum, the successful participation of Indigenous students in tertiary education (and completions in university programmes), and consequently, employment. This link encompasses a student’s educational experience from a young age to university graduation and beyond. Given the axiomatic acceptance of the transformational power of education in individual lives, and its translation into a competitive advantage in the labour market, achieving the highest level of education is and remains an important social determinant in our society. This chapter highlights options in policy, practice and research, to help ameliorate historical Indigenous disadvantage, which has translated into lower labour market participation rates, including and particularly in the tertiary education sector. It also examines the responsibility that universities, may reasonably bear to help promote equity.