Adelaide's Ngutu College has officially opened its on-campus café, providing employment and training opportunities for students and parents while fostering community engagement.

The café was launched with a smoking ceremony and an official opening by the Governor of South Australia.

Gamilaroi man and Principal Andrew Plastow said the idea was inspired by a former student who struggled in school but later expressed a desire to become a barista.

"That really inspired the idea, and I thought, well, maybe this is something we could do for our young people here," Mr Plastow said.

The café employs approximately 20 students and parents annually, offering them experience in food preparation, barista training, and customer service.

Employees are paid award wages while developing skills that can help them transition into the workforce.

"There's a focus around Aboriginal kids, but it's open for all kids," Mr Plastow said.

"Most of our students come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, so this is an opportunity for them in a safe space to become skilled employees."

Attached to the café is a shopfront where students can sell products made during their technology and design classes.

"We'll work on a commission basis with the products they make, so they can start their own mini businesses," Mr Plastow said.

Ngutu College, founded in 2019, was established to provide an experiential learning environment that integrates Aboriginal knowledges with mainstream education.

The name 'Ngutu' means 'knowledge' in the Kaurna language.

The school recognises the challenges faced by Aboriginal students in higher education, particularly in teaching, where for every 110 Aboriginal teachers, there are 10,000 non-Aboriginal teachers in Australia.

To address this, Ngutu has partnered with UniSA to support Aboriginal educators studying for their degrees by offering a culturally safe learning environment on campus.

Music, dance, and visual arts are central to the school's curriculum, with 40 students currently learning Yidaki (didgeridoo).

The café also promotes Indigenous food, with Ngutu collaborating with a local business to develop recipes using native ingredients.

"We're learning from them about how to create different recipes and foods, and it's really about building community and having a space that is safe," Mr Plastow said.

Ngarrindjeri Elder in Residence and Cultural Advisor, Uncle Moogy, said the café is already attracting interest from the wider community.

"The word's out there now, and people want to come and experience it, have lunch here, have meetings, or just visit and have a coffee," Uncle Moogy said.

Ngutu College sees the café as more than a business—it is a space for cultural learning, employment, and community connection.

"This is about learning but also earning at the same time," Mr Plastow said.