A young Aboriginal man is strengthening outcomes for Aboriginal children and families across Victoria after undertaking targeted TAFE training to build his leadership skills and deepen the impact of his work.

Rylie Cadd, who works in kinship finding and connection programs, is building on frontline experience with targeted TAFE training by completing a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management at Kangan Institute's Broadmeadows Campus.

Midway through the course, Mr Cadd stepped into an acting team leader role - applying his learning in real time to support both his team and the families they work with.

Working at the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA), Mr Cadd supports Aboriginal children in out-of-home care to reconnect with family, culture and identity,

identifying connections and undertaking genealogy research to help them understand where they come from.

"The work I do matters to so many different people in so many different ways," he said.

"Knowing your connections is so important. It strengthens identity, gives children a mob and a place to know where they're from."

The Kangan Institute said Mr Cadd turned to training to strengthen his leadership capability and confidence after being inspired by leaders around him, including in his own family.

"The opportunity for leadership was something I wanted; I've always wanted [the program] to be the best it can be," he said.

"The program and our community deserve the best outcomes possible."

Mr Cadd said the tailored leadership program he undertook supported him to step into leadership with greater confidence and clarity.

"I was able to talk to my teacher about what I can achieve and how to be that team leader that I wanted to be. It allowed me to step into the role without feeling so nervous," he said.

"The course has exposed me to many types of interactions I may face... and the flexibility to have the right conversation, at the right time and know how to navigate that - that is really important."

Mr Cadd's contribution was recognised in March hrough the 2026 Ricci Marks Award, which celebrates the achievements of young First Nations people in Victoria.

"Our work is very high demand... especially in Victoria, identification is a very important conversation right now," he said.

"I am very proud of the work that I am able to do and the outcomes I'm able to achieve."

Mr Cadd said continuing to build his skills as a leader will be key to strengthening outcomes for the children and families he supports.

"I want to evolve and grow... there's always a need to learn something new, build a new skill and have new conversations," he said.

"The course has been definitely beneficial to learn more about myself and how to be a better person as well as a better leader."