A $100 million joint investment from the Federal and New South Wales governments is set to boost First Nations vocational education and training across NSW ahead of National Closing the Gap Day.
The package, funded with $50 million from each government, is aimed at supporting training delivery, improved course content, infrastructure upgrades and student support services, particularly for regional and remote First Nations students.
La Perouse's Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Centre (AHMRC) hosted the funding announcement on Wednesday morning, which was attended by Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, and NSW Minister for TAFE, Skills and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan.
Also in attendance was AHMRC chief executive officer and proud Kamilaroi woman, Nicole Turner, said the announcement marked a significant step forward for First Nations communities.
"Today marks an important milestone in supporting Aboriginal community-controlled RTOS in NSW, as we continue to strengthen pathways to skills and training and reinforce our shared commitment to achieving objectives," she said.
Minister Giles said the funding builds on existing work led by First Nations organisations, with the initiative adopting a 'by mob, for mob' approach.
"This is funding that isn't about beginning anew. It's about building on existing work and very long-standing understandings, bringing together that community of practice for all those RTOS, owned and operated by First Peoples," he said.
Minister Giles said the funding is part of the Government's commitment to Closing the Gap targets, and a promise for improved outcomes for First Nations peoples.
"This is the first national agreement that embedded Closing the Gap at its core, and it does hold our feet to the fire, because we know we need to do better," he said.
The funding also emphasises the importance of long-term sustainable outcomes, centring on Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and First Nations-owned RTOs to deliver culturally safe experiences.
"This $100 million package will strengthen our Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and First Nations-owned RTOS to deliver training across NSW now and into the future," Minister Whan said.
Minister Whan said the initiative would transform training quality and experience for First Nations students, while supporting cultural connection.
"What this can deliver is strengthening training, quality, enhancing student support, minimising compliance and regulatory burden," he said.
"It's about setting up to transform the lives of First Nation students who will seek training to start their careers, to get into new fields to connect more deeply with their culture through language and dance."
NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group CEO, Raymond Ingrey, said the initiative reflects a shift in how success can be measured for First Nations students.
"Not long ago, success was about how many Aboriginal students reached their HSC or completed their HSC. We said no," he said.
"Success has to be where are they four years after they leave the school gate? What training, what education have they gained? What meaningful employment are they in?
"That's what drove us around this implementation plan. It is unique. I understand no other state or territory is done with like us. It is our people at the forefront of this plan, and it does everything we're trying to achieve over the next few years has aligned with the priority reforms of closing the gap."
Mr Ingrey said he believes the ongoing collaboration between governments and First Nations organisations would be critical to delivering future success.
"We can't do it alone," he said. "We need the government to support us, and this implementation plan is a true reflection of a partnership that the VET sector here in NSW needs to have with our people."
