Empowering remote communities through skills training

Skill shortages in remote areas means that something as simple as repairing a leaky tap can cost thousands of dollars.

A new program from Charles Darwin University, is offering people training in some of the skills that would otherwise require a contractor, who might have to travel hundreds of kilometers to provide services costing thousands of dollars.

The Northern Territory Government provided Charles Darwin University (CDU) funds to deliver in-community training to expand On Country skills at seven remote Community Hubs that service more than 20 remote communities. 

The training is fit for purpose based on the needs of each remote community, focusing on essential skills needed for current community-based projects and filling gaps across several industries including Community Services, Construction and Civil Construction.

CDU TAFE Deputy Chief Executive Kelly McCarthy said this funding scheme enabled CDU to not only address skills shortages in remote communities but to empower locals.

“This training has increased access to services and skills that are often either not available or come at high costs to service providers or community members,” Mr McCarthy said.

The funding enabled each cohort of students to have access to a language and literacy tutor as an additional support for students in each community as English is often their second or third language. 

Since the funding was received CDU TAFE staff members have travelled to community hubs across the Central Desert including Yuendumu, Ntaria, Multijulu and more and have provided accredited and non-accredited skills training. 

Skills taught range from mechanical maintenance, operating small plant and equipment, conducting earthworks and provide care for an aging population.

CDU TAFE Team Leader Engineering and Construction Mark Fudge said that access to these industry skills could provide a local labour workforce in each remote community by creating jobs in maintenance or housing. 

“Strengthening the workforce by providing relevant training opportunities that align with the unique needs of each community breaks down barriers to both education as well as basic access to maintenance,” Mr Fudge said.

“By providing hands on learning and skills these individuals can have the capacity to offer services that are often not based in remote areas.” 

Aboriginal Responsive Skilling Grants (ARSG) is a component of the Department of Education and Training Aboriginal Employment Program and provided funding for CDU TAFE to deliver training to meet the needs of First Nations people living in NT communities.