Wednesday, 1 May 2024

Ministers statements: First Nations skills and training

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:09): Today I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s commitment to culturally relevant training for First Nations Victorians. Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited to officially launch Koori Education in Learn Locals: Best Practice and Protocols. This was an important occasion for adult and community education in Victoria. Learn Locals deliver foundation, digital and workplace skills at over 200 grassroots community organisations across Victoria. Now, in collaboration with Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated, Learn Locals have a practical tool in the protocols: a guide to building relationships with local First Nations communities, including First Nations history and cultural perspectives in curriculum, respecting diversity and designing inclusive spaces. This is building a future in best practice to ensure First Nations students are welcomed and encouraged to succeed in adult education.

I also had the opportunity to visit Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative in Mooroopna with Outback Academy Australia to announce funding for nine First Nations skills and training projects. The projects will support Outback Academy to upskill First Nations agricultural businesses and blend traditional ecological knowledge with new farming systems, South West TAFE to deliver conservation and ecosystem management training for First Nations rangers and the Gordon to include training about Indigenous produce and food preparation in their commercial cookery qualification, and that is just to name a few. From TAFEs to Learn Locals, this government is proud to support innovative projects that recognise the importance of First Nations knowledge and perspectives in skills and training in this state.