A case study of the Bungala CDEP: economic and social aspects

Abstract

This paper uses Bungala CDEP as a case study of how CDEP schemes in regional centres and urban areas can meet their multiple objectives of assisting participants to acquire skills which result in unsubsidised employment, developing business enterprises and providing employment in a community development setting. The focus is on the economic and social impacts of the scheme. Bungala has been successful in meeting the needs of all its groups of participants. Significant numbers of participants are leaving the scheme for employment or are being placed in subsidised employment with non-CDEP employers. Meaningful employment has been provided to local participants wishing to remain on the scheme. Finally, in the remote satellite work sites, work activities that have been defined by the community as socially or economically useful, have been developed. Several factors have been critical to Bungala's success. First, it is able to provide participants with the opportunity for promotion to full-time employment. Second, high quality supervisors and tradesmen are employed to educate participants. Third, professional and highly competent managers are employed.