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MR: Larrakia trade training school on the drawing board
Tuesday, 21 July '09
Larrakia Development Corporation, Kormilda College and Advanced Training Internationa discuss trade training school
The Territory’s first trade training school for Larrakia, Aboriginal and other local youth will take shape by the end of this year, according to the Larrakia Development Corporation. The Larrakia Development Corporation trade training school will be established at Berrimah, and on land owned by the Larrakia Development Corporation near the Darwin Port precinct.
The Chairman of the Corporation, Mr. Koolpinyah Barnes, said younger trainees will attend the Kormilda campus, and more mature trainees wanting to get into the skilled workforce via the Larrakia Development Corporation initiative will enter via the East Arm Port training centre.
Mr. Barnes said that the trade training centre will offer the vital tools to equip Larrakia, Aboriginal and other people with the necessary work skills to take advantage of the commercial success of the Corporation and developments in the Darwin region.
"The training will start with the basics of the "three Rs" supplied by our partners at Kormilda College, and take students through real-life workshop courses leading to the skilled workforce, or formal traineeships and apprenticeships," he said.
"The directors of the Larrakia Development Corporation have faced the fact that without competence in English and Math, many youth today cannot aspire to even work towards an apprenticeship, let alone gain a trade ticket.
"That has led the Larrakia Development Corporation to negotiate with Kormilda College and Advanced Training International in assisting the Larrakia Development Corporation to establish the trade training school.
Mr. Barnes said the school will start small, and build capacity as required.
Detailed negotiations on curriculum development have produced an education model that will fit in with the work schedules of Larrakia, Aboriginal and other people who are already employed.
"The Larrakia Development Corporation trade school will operate six days of the week, with the assistance of the professional training delivered by Australian Training International," Mr. Barnes said.
"That training will range from basic English literacy to competence in metal fabrication, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, motor mechanics and similar work disciplines.
"The plan includes utilizing the Kormilda College's boarding facilities to be used during school holidays for block release - the technical studies of the training schedule which under the current systems often means students have to travel south for tuition."
Mr. Barnes said that because of the Larrakia belief that basic education is the key to a fruitful life; the Larrakia Development Corporation's trade school will welcome Darwin youth who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law, and who wish to turn their life around.
Mr. Barnes hopes to sign a formal agreement on behalf of the Larrakia Development Corporation with Kormilda College and ATI early in August, with construction starting shortly afterwards.
CONTACT: CEO Greg Constantine can arrange interviews on TN 8947 34 55
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