Soldiers in campaign to boost literacy skills

Fourteen Australian Army reservists have marched on to the stage to receive their certificates in recognition of having reinforced their language and literacy skills.

The soldiers from Norforce and the 51st Battalion Far North Queensland Regiment had bunkered down at Charles Darwin University’s Katherine campus for an 11-week skill-building campaign.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy Team Leader Wendy Kennedy said the vocational training had prepared the group for future courses in the military.

“Some of them may advance to the Defence Indigenous Development Program next year,” Ms Kennedy said.

In addition to the literacy and numeracy exercises, the group took part in activities to demonstrate initiative, leadership and team-building skills.

“One of those activities took place at Binjarri Community near Katherine last weekend where they carried out minor repairs to the church,” she said.

Ms Kennedy said each participant who had completed a unit in the language, literacy and numeracy adult-learning program received a Statement of Attainment.