Program delivering community housing benefit and employment opportunities through construction qualifications

Jarred Cross Published August 27, 2026 at 4.30am (AWST)

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Nine Walgett local community members have graduated from Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly's Building Skills for Better Futures construction program. Image: supplied, TAFE NSW

Robyn Walford hasn't just learned a completely new set of skills for her own benefit, but also put them to use for young people and the wider community.

Ms Walford, 48, is a recent graduate of the Building Skills for Better Futures program developed and delivered by the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly (MPRA).

The Assembly describes itself as the "the peak representative structure that represents the interest of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 16 communities across Western NSW".

The construction program backs students to take on a new skillset and opportunity for employment with them.

Ms Walford is one of a group of nine Aboriginal students from Walgett to graduate from it with practical skills and job readiness with a Certificate I and Certificate II in Construction or a Statement of Attainment.

*Robyn Walford had never picked up a tool before getting involved in the project. Now she's eyeing off an apprenticeship. (Image: supplied, TAFE NSW)*

She's now planning to pick up an apprenticeship.

"Before this course, I'd never picked up a tool, and now I'm building projects that will be enjoyed by local families and planning to pursue an apprenticeship," she said.

"It's shown me you're never too old to learn and given me the confidence to build a future in construction."

Building Skills for Better Futures was designed in partnership with NSW government-funded statutory body Aboriginal Housing Office, and TAFE NSW.

The idea behind it is to build employment opportunities with local training, apprenticeships as well as a strong First Nations workforce.

This extends to potentially being those future housing projects, and nearer repairs and maintenance works.

It's seen as a long-term partnership, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between TAFE NSW and Murdi Paaki Services Limited (on behalf of the Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly)

Ms Walford has already helped build cubby houses and BBQ areas which are set to be donated to local schools.

"Out here we can wait days for someone to travel from another town to fix a simple repair, so the more local people we train, the more local tradies we'll have to support our communities and inspire the next generation to follow," she said.

The program is aiming to support up to 100 First Nations apprentices across the Murdi Paaki region by 2031.