Local Jobs, Social Enterprises & Social Procurement

About the Special Interest Group

This Special Interest Group provides provides a forum for council officers to discuss, learn and collaborate on initiatives which foster inclusive community and economic development through a range of place-based strategies, plans and initiatives that ensure the prosperity and wellbeing of all members of their communities. This includes the deeply interlinked priorities of:

•  Addressing systemic barriers facing the most disadvantaged members of their communities who may not have equal access to employment or pathways to employment. Affected groups may differ across municipalities, however often they include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people, people living with a disability and at-risk young people.

•  Supporting the emerging for-purpose inclusive and social enterprise sectors, that comprise of businesses that identify as Social Enterprises, Australian Disability Enterprises, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses, and nano/micro businesses operated by individuals who would otherwise be facing barriers to work.

•  Ensuring local governments are utilising social procurement practices to achieve broader policy objectives, assist the growth of the inclusive and social enterprise sectors, and influence business and community purchasing behaviours.

Online Teams community

This Special Interest Group is supported by an online community. We believe that accessing knowledge from individuals who work in a similar environment is invaluable and should never be underestimated. Our communities are only for people working in Local Government and there are many benefits to participating in them. They are a great way to keep in touch in between meetings, by asking your fellow colleagues questions and sharing resources. You can also see who else is involved and get in touch with them quickly.  Agendas, minutes, presentations and other resources will also be posted on the online community.

Register your attendance

To register your attendance online, under Upcoming meetings, click on the title of the upcoming Special Interest Group meeting that you want to attend. Then follow the prompts.

Eligibility

Please note that this Special Interest Group is a closed group, open only to employees of a Victorian Council with a LGPro Council Subscription.

To join this SIG email us at [email protected]

Who should attend

The SIG will bring together local government officers tasked with the responsibility for:

•    Delivering local employment and training outcomes, particularly for those in the community facing barriers to work.
•    Supporting the growth of their emerging local inclusive and social enterprise sectors and participants.
•    Influencing, adopting and embedding social procurement practices within local government.

The SIG will include local government officers in Victoria from Economic Development, Local Jobs, Community Development, Procurement, Social Inclusion and Diversity, Human Resource teams/departments, as well as other Council officers as appropriate.

Alana Smith

Coordinator Local Economies
Boroondara City Council

Convenor

Paul Thia

Inclusive & Social Enterprise Officer
Banyule City Council

Convenor

Simon Scrase

Economic Participation & Enterprise
Whittlesea City Council

Convenor