Pilot Project boosts Remote Indigenous Employment

Media Release - Waalitj Foundation

In late November 2021, the Waalitj Foundation’s Community Development Program (CDP) introduced a pilot project delivering remote-based training and education direct to community.

This collaborative effort aptly named Try a Trade was rolled out within the Leonora Community (Yaaliku Region) and was delivered successfully by Central Regional TAFE (Kalgoorlie).

Close consultation sessions were held with local Leonora District High School, Leonora Youth Centre participants and local community members with the result producing two main Workshop based environments, engaging both youth and post-school-age cohorts. This ensured maximum exposure within the Leonora Community as a broader community-based pilot, with a view to replicate this program across the Region.

“All around brilliant”, “Totally engaging” and “Try a Trade has been a sensational match”, Andy is a fantastic lecturer, you can see he loves what he is doing and is passionate about giving students a chance’...are just some of the positive responses received.

A total of 8 CDP participants took part in this hands-on interactive approach to trades based learning with a short week-long mix of theory and practical components that saw participants achieve a Nationally Recognised Statement of Attainment, igniting the spark for future careers in trades.

With an evident gap in accessibility to remote-based learning, this innovative community-based approach will look to engage participants with short courses at regular intervals across 2022, leading into 2023 as the program enters the new Remote Jobs Program (RJP) Model. The new model will further highlight social enterprise and self-employment opportunities of which collaboration is already underway through the Waalitj Hub with the support of the National Indigenous Australians Agency. The Hub services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, including start-up ideas as well as established businesses. Clients connect with expect business coaches who empower them to grow business capability and access new markets.

Further consultation with participants will be held to determine measures of success and ensure the suitability of the program, maintaining the overall aim of developing job-ready skills that can be applied to local employment opportunities.

All units of training (RIISAM204E) ‘Operating small plant and equipment’ and (CPCCWHS1001) ‘Preparing to work safely in the construction industry’ were completed with 8 CDP students achieving over 90% attendance rate.

Future planning is already underway with key training areas focused to include Forklift Training, Chainsaw Operations, Heavy Machinery Workshops, Horticulture/On-Country and Mechanics through to Technology, Design and Drone-based Projects with April 2022 re-commencement. Our aim through consultation with the Laverton and Wiluna communities is to replicate this across the Region.

The Try a Trade Project is offered to registered CDP participants in the Yaaliku Region. Currently, all CDP projects are being undertaken via Voluntary participation due to recent changes taken into effect from mid-year 2021.