The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on commitments to build a sustainable First Nations vocational education and training (VET) workforce by investing $2.5 million to expand the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation’s (NACCHO) successful Trainer and Assessor (TAE) Demonstration Project.
This expanded program, delivered in partnership with First Nations knowledge and expertise, will deliver culturally safe training for up to 58 First Nations participants to undertake the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and the Diploma of Vocational Education and Training.
The program will also include a mentoring program to support First Nations trainers and assessors to develop skills to take on VET leadership roles, creating a strong base to support and sustain the future of this workforce.
The Government’s investment has also been directed to establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Community of Practice, which is designed to strengthen the Aboriginal Community Controlled and First Nations RTO sector by fostering shared best practice, partnerships, and improved outcomes for First Nations learners.
Designed and delivered in partnership with NACCHO, the Community of Practice reflects a shared commitment to build a capable and culturally safe First Nations VET workforce, shaped by First Nations voices, insights and expertise.
This work is supported through findings from a new Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) report, which has confirmed that an increasing First Nations VET workforce is contributing to much better outcomes for First Nations Australians.
JSA’s First Nations VET Workforce Research Paper delivers the most comprehensive analysis to date of the systemic barriers and enabling conditions affecting the First Nations VET workforce.
The research paper draws on direct research with workers and extensive consultation with First Nations stakeholders across the VET sector. It shows that 155,735 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people participated in VET in 2021 - demonstrating both a high level of engagement and the importance of culturally safe, well supported pathways into the training workforce.
The report highlights key findings, including:
- First Nations people who commence VET programs have a higher likelihood of achieving sustainable employment compared with those who do not.
- First Nations VET workforce growth has far outpaced the overall VET workforce, demonstrating strong interest and untapped potential.
- First Nations students represent a growing share of completions in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment: about 370 completions each year, even as non-Indigenous completions decline.
- First Nations people make up around two per cent of the VET workforce, compared with 3.8 per cent of the population, reflecting significant under‑representation.
Jobs and Skills Australia’s research also provides a series of Design Principles, released today, which have been co‑developed with First Nations leaders and VET practitioners. The Design Principles are a practical tool which will enable successful local co-design processes to guide government and industry on practical steps to grow and sustain the First Nations VET workforce.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“The Albanese Government is committed to growing the First Nations VET workforce through backing culturally safe training and support to First Nations people to build their career as trainers and assessors.
“Our investment is enabling First Nations‑led projects like the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander RTO Community of Practice to thrive. It’s strengthening collaboration, cultural safety and capability across the sector, and supporting RTOs to deliver training that meets the aspirations of their communities.
“With more than 155,000 First Nations VET learners nationally, we must ensure First Nations people see themselves represented, respected and supported within the workforce training them. That’s what these projects and this research helps us deliver.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The Albanese Government is committed to Closing the Gap when it comes to vocational education and training, and economic participation.
“To do that we need to build a sustainable First Nations VET workforce.
“Aboriginal Community Controlled RTOs and First Nations trainers and assessors are a crucial part of the VET sector, helping skill up our future workforce.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Dawn Casey PSM FAHA, CEO, NACCHO:
“This program builds on the strong foundations laid by the TAE Demonstration Project and takes the next step in growing a skilled First Nations VET workforce.
“Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainers and assessors to gain qualifications and strengthen their practice through mentoring ensures knowledge, skills and leadership continue to grow within our communities.
“When First Nations educators lead training, we strengthen the entire system and create lasting opportunities for future generations.”