Indigenous training program’s first graduates

21 July 2009

A special 12 month Indigenous trainee program conducted by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) in the Hunter has produced its first graduates.

Nine Aboriginal people have gained the Certificate III in Aged Care. As well, they also achieved their NSW provisional driver's licence.

Minister for Disability Services Paul Lynch said the difficulty involved in obtaining a driver's licence had been identified as a significant impediment to Aboriginal people accessing employment.

"This program has played a significant role in changing that," Mr Lynch said.

"The trainees were employed for 20 hours a week through the Department's Aboriginal Home Care Branch and were deployed into work experience placements while undertaking study at TAFE and driver training," he said.

An Indigenous driving school based in the Hunter provided the driver training.

Mr Lynch said that the program had not only achieved all of the tangible goals of equipping and training Aboriginal people to work with Aboriginal clients in Home Care, but it had also achieved other significant benefits.

"Participants have grown in confidence and self-esteem, with many of them reporting the program has had a life-changing impact on their current situation and on their futures," he said.

"They are now in a better position to contribute to their families and communities and to the delivery of culturally responsive services to elderly and disabled Aboriginal people in home or residential care," Mr Lynch said.

Funding for the Home Care Aboriginal Trainee Program was a joint initiative between DADHC and the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) with DEEWR providing the funding for the participants to receive driver training as well as contributing funds towards wages.

A graduation ceremony will be held on 11 August at Newcastle's Customs House Restaurant.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Williams 0408 602 936

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