TAFE NSW National Business has formed a training partnership with the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) covering the development and delivery of an Aboriginal Cultural Education (ACE) program for DECC’s entire staff over the next three years.
Delivered by TAFE NSW Institutes, the rollout of the training will help DECC meet its obligations under the NSW Government’s 10-year plan to improve the lives of Aboriginal people and their communities, Two Ways Together.
Delivered jointly by TAFE NSW Aboriginal teachers, local community, Aboriginal elders and DECC staff, the program develops awareness of country, culture, people and history. It includes participant visits to local Aboriginal sites, overviews key legislation and policy developments relating to working with indigenous Australians, and focuses on developing Two Ways Together workplaces and relationships.
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Over 300 DECC staff have already completed the program, with the remainder to be trained over the next three years.
A comprehensive training needs analysis was carried out to investigate the knowledge and skills required by DECC staff to work effectively and appropriately with Aboriginal communities, groups and individuals.
To achieve these goals TAFE NSW was contracted to work in partnership with DECC to provide an Aboriginal Cultural Education Program for DECC’s staff of 4,150.
Two pilot programs were delivered in 2006: one program at EORA and one in Dubbo. Each course caters for up to 25 participants, local community leaders and elders. A site visit to an Aboriginal site of significance in the local area is included in each program led by elders of the community.
TAFE NSW has also been contracted by DECC to develop and deliver an Aboriginal Cultural Education Program for senior executives.
‘The evaluations and the feedback from participants, DECC staff and TAFE NSW trainers has been extremely positive,’ said Chris Burvill, Relieving Deputy Director-General, TAFE & Community Education at the time of the program’s launch.
‘A longitudinal study will be commissioned by TAFE NSW to measure the behavioural and cultural impact that this program has on participants,’ she said. ‘We look forward to the continued collaboration and the ongoing success of this very important program.’
