Research to capture diversity in Queensland social enterprise
A new CQUniversity research project is set to showcase diverse workforces in Queensland’s social enterprises, to help guide state policy for the booming for-purpose sector.
The study, conducted in partnership with the Queensland Social Enterprise Council (QSEC), is supported by the Queensland Government’s Growing Workforce Participation Fund.
The pilot project will also develop a co-designed online resource that empowers Queensland businesses, industry and employers to engage job-seekers from diverse backgrounds, guided by social enterprise best practice.
For the research, ‘diversity’ refers to differences in gender, abilities, cultural and linguistic origins, socioeconomic background, and neurodiversity.
Are you leading a social enterprise? Complete the workforce diversity survey here.
CQUniversity Social Innovation Program Manager Steve Williams said an estimated 20,000 social enterprises operate across Australia, employing more than 300,000 Australians.
“In Queensland, we’ve seen many outstanding examples of new social enterprises, that operate to address social issues in our community,” Mr Williams explained.
“Many of these for-purpose businesses use proactive employment approaches to attract and support employees who might struggle to secure jobs in mainstream sectors.
“This research will help all Queensland employers see the potential in supportive employment practices.”
QSEC chief executive officer Adele Laughton encouraged social entrepreneurs to participate.
“A good response rate will assist us in making a strong case to the State Government for continued support of social enterprises in these impactful employment areas,” she said.
The survey is open until mid-September 2024, and participants can complete it anonymously.
The final project will also feature a series of video case studies, featuring Queensland social enterprises Fruit2Work (Brisbane), Impact Community Services (Bundaberg), Ability Enterprises (Toowoomba), and Indigenous-owned enterprises Bama (Cairns) and Multhana (south east Queensland).
CQUniversity is Australia’s first and only social enterprise university, certified by national peak body Social Traders.
Learn more about Social Innovation at CQUniversity.
