Cultural competence refers to an ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures.

Cultural competence comprises four components:

1. Awareness of one’s own cultural worldview, (b) Attitude towards cultural differences
2. Attitude towards cultural differences
3. Knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews
4. Cross-cultural skills

The ETO workshop “Indigenous Australians in the workplace, making it a positive experience for all” will raise the cultural competence of all staff Indigenous and Non-Indigenous in regard to interacting effectively with Indigenous Australians.

The purpose of an ETO-delivered cultural awareness workshop is to:

• provide participants with the understanding and awareness to develop effective communication and engagement with Indigenous Australian colleagues and clients, and to
• provide practical solutions to real cross-cultural barriers that currently impede employment outcomes.

 

WHAT IS THE AIM OF CULTURAL COMPETENCE WORKSHOP?

To provide participants with an empowering experience through:

• Examining the meanings of identity, cultures and “who we are”
• Building an understanding of the impacts of history and disadvantage for Indigenous Australians and how this affects everyday interactions
• Using this understanding and empathy to achieve effective cross-cultural communication, and to
• Develop practical strategies that improve indigenous employment outcomes.

WHAT WILL THE WORKSHOP COVER?

• Definitions and issues of identity
• Brief historical overview
• A model of “what shapes belief” and its impact on behaviour
• The context of the contemporary situation and its relevance to your organisation
• Cross cultural communication challenges and skills
• An awareness of protocols in formal and informal situations
• Putting this knowledge into practice

HOW WILL THE WORKSHOP BE PRESENTED?

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Share the experience of another non indigenous person who has 30 years practical experience in Indigenous employment, plus an indigenous person now working in Indigenous employment
• See the big picture through visual presentation
• Listen and question
• Interact with the group
• Raise and discuss issues
• Jot down notes/key points
• Know where to access more information
• Take away ideas to assist your organisation meet its organisational objectives

Please note local Indigenous people can be used following this session to supply the local indigenous specific cultural knowledge. Staff will also gain this post workshop from Indigenous clients as they will be more comfortable in cross cultural communication with these clients.