Culturally aware education boost

The Gordon will tailor an education and training program to assist young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to understand their identity and gain the skills they need to obtain employment.

Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney has announced the investment of almost $468,000 with The Gordon to deliver a series of courses to aid young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women to develop their numeracy and literacy skills, self-confidence, and goal setting skills as they seek pathways to further study and employment.

Aimed at youth aged 15-17 years, the new program will support 30 local learners to study one of three course; Certificate I, II and III in Mumgu-Dahl tyama-tiyt, which means ‘message stick of knowledge’.

Working closely with respected elders and people of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander community groups to develop the program, the curriculum intends to combat increasing youth unemployment rates across the region. The Gordon’s CEO Joe Ormeno shared his thoughts.

"The Gordon has actively sought collaborative engagement with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Through partnerships and understanding we continue to build a framework of action for better outcomes. These courses that we will deliver later this year is a part of the practical implementation of our vision where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people participate equally in our education services, and commitment to deliver inclusive and culturally appropriate training across the region.”

In a further boost, The Gordon will deliver a new Kitjarra Centre in late 2021 at The Gordon’s City Campus.