VET News

Better Access to LND Skills is Crucial for Indigenous Australians

Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor announced in Darwin this week a specific Indigenous stream to the Government’s Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) foundation skills program to improve literacy, numeracy and digital skills for First Nations Australians.

Around 1 in 5 Australian adults lack the basic literacy, numeracy and digital skills to gain better jobs and participate fully in society.

For First Nations people, it is estimated that 40 per cent of adults have minimal English literacy, and this figure can rise as high as 70 per cent in remote communities, such as those in the NT.

The redesign of the SEE program will provide more pathways for Australians to access training to improve their language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills. It is expected to support up to 2,000 First Nations people per year by 2026-27.

Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O'Connor said, “We have consulted widely and listened to feedback. We recognise a one-size fits all approach is simply not effective, which is why we have redesigned the delivery of foundation skills training to reflect what works best for local Indigenous communities."

From 1 July 2024, stream one of foundation skills will focus on job seekers, employees and people not in formal education, employment or training.

A new second stream will focus on First Nations people, providing grants to First Nations community-controlled organisations so they can partner directly with training providers.

It will be delivered through First Nations organisations in partnership with TAFEs and other Registered Training Organisations or Adult and Community Education sector providers.

The second stream comes following consultation with Indigenous representatives through the Foundation Skills Advisory Group and is an example of the Albanese Government delivering policy working with First Nations Australians.

While the redesign work takes place, the Government will extend the Foundation Skills for Your Future: Remote Community Pilots program for a further 12 months to 30 June 2024. The extension will ensure this important work continues for the Tennant Creek community, one of 11 remote communities where this pilot is taking place.

See full Ministers' Media Centre Release here.

Date posted Jul 13, 2023