Six Indigenous Trainees were awarded their Certificate III qualifications last Tuesday at a Graduation Ceremony hosted at the new Sustainability Centre within the campus of Mooloolaba TAFE.
Since November 2010 the trainees had been involved in the Coastal Conservation Green Army project, funded by the Australian Government and run by STEPS as part of the Indigenous Employment Program.
Five of the trainees undertook activities in Conservation & Land Management including monitoring the bio-diversity of beaches and rocky foreshores, fencing, and revegetation as part of the Certificate III in Conservation & Land Management. The remaining trainee worked from the offices of the South East Queensland Traditional Owners Association (SEQTOA) performing administrative duties related to the program as part of the Certificate III in Business Administration.
All were provided with the opportunity to attend a motivation and job preparation workshop and were given the necessary skills to develop resumes and application techniques and to understand employer expectations and appropriate workplace behaviours. This job preparation support will be essential in assisting the trainees to find employment now they have their qualifications and the program is completed.
This experience also granted the trainees valuable knowledge and insight into their cultural heritage and the opportunity to link with the Traditional Elders of the region.
