Green Corps

The Green Corps programme provides young Australians between 17–20 years with the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the environment by contributing to high priority conservation projects while being provided with quality training and work experience.

Since the programme commenced in March 1997, 5 per cent of all participants have identified themselves as Indigenous. This compares favourably to the proportion of Indigenous young people in the total 17–20 year old Australian population. The Year Book Australia 1999 indicates that 2.1 per cent of the 17–20 year old Australian population are Indigenous.

Green Corps participants join a six month project which combines practical experience and training. At least 25 per cent of all training provided to Green Corps participants is accredited, meaning that nationally recognised skills learnt by Green Corps participants can be transferred to other courses after the project is completed. Participants receive a training allowance based on the level of schooling they have achieved and the number of years since leaving school. Young people do not have to be unemployed to participate in Green Corps.

High numbers of Indigenous Australians are participating in the Commonwealth’s Green Corps programme. Working in teams, Green Corps participants undertake a range of environment and cultural heritage protection activities located mainly in rural and remote areas of Australia.

Project activities include bush regeneration, flora and fauna surveys, habitat restoration, cultural heritage survey and protection, revegetation, access management and feral animal and environmental weed control.

The Government has contracted the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers (ATCV) to administer and manage the Green Corps programme nationally. Their contract is to provide 5,240 Green Corps places over three years from 1999–2000 to 2002–20003. In 1999–2000, 1700 places were available in Green Corps. ATCV is responsible for selecting participants, establishing and supervising projects, establishing and supervision projects and providing field support for projects and participants.

A number of Indigenous organisations have assisted in the management of Green Corps projects by acting as joint Partner Agents. However, no Indigenous organisation has had sole Green Corps project management responsibility. Under the Green Corps ATCV may subcontract the operation of a Green Corps project to groups and organisations that meet management requirements. This allows the subcontracting organisation to manage the whole project, including the recruitment of participants, appointment of staff and supervisors and day-to-day project operations. This arrangement may be suitable for Indigenous groups/organisations as it would allow them to address the specific issues of their community or those of the young Indigenous people participating in the programme. There is greater capacity in these arrangements for the outcomes to be culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.

More Information

Indigenous young people seeking further information about projects should contact the National Green Corps Hotline, phone 1800 633 844. Further information is also available at the website: http://greencorps.ballarat.net.au/

For Programme-related enquiries,contact the programme manager:

Ms Teena Parkinson
Training and Youth Division
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs
Phone: (02) 6240 7236
email: teena.parkinson@DEST.gov.au

CONTENTS

This edition of Learning for All provides details of some significant developments in the education and training of Indigenous Australians in the schools, vocational education and training, and higher education sectors. The publication also provides information on research findings and best practice in education.

Closing the Gaps – an overview of outcomes for Indigenous students in the different sectors.

Introduction – the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, the Hon Dr David Kemp MP.

The National Indigenous English Literacyand Numeracy Strategy – a major initiative to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students.

Absenteeism investigated – examines the attendance rates of Indigenous students at all levels of schooling and ways to improve them.

Is there a relationship between the school success of Indigenous students and positive self-identity? – considers the relationship between school outcomes and the self-identities of young Indigenous Australians.

Developing Best Practice with Indigenous New Apprenticeships – identifies innovative ways to implement Indigenous New Apprenticeships.

Helping Indigenous students make the transition from school to work – examines how Indigenous students are performing at a number of transition points from school to work. (continued over page)

Green Corps – discusses the participation of Indigenous people in this national training programme for young Australians.

What Works? – discusses effective teaching strategies, which were trialled in schools throughout Australia during 1998 and 1999. 17 Partners in a Learning Culture – outlines the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 1999–2005.

Partners in a Learning Culture – outlines the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 1999–2005.

Kardu Kigay – young men in a remote Aboriginal community are helped to develop self-esteem, strengthen English literacy and numeracy skills and gain skills for possible future employment.

Territorian takes out top training award – for Indigenous students in the 2000 Australian Training Awards.

Career options and the world of work – help for Indigenous students and their parents to make choices about their education and careers.

Gumala Mirnuwarni – “coming together to learn”, Indigenous community, schools and industry in the Karratha region of Western Australia work together.

WADU “together in partnership and trust” – innovative workplace learning experiences for Indigenous secondary students.

Indigenous law students gain work experience – since the 1970s Indigenous law students have been helped to successfully complete their degree.

Yandi – an assignment and assessment tracking database to increase the success and retention rates for Indigenous students.

Open Learning Initiatives to Assist Indigenous Australians – aim to improve access to education for Indigenous people.

The Facts and Figures section – profiles trends in participation by Indigenous Australians across all sectors of education and training.

Questionnaire: Learning for All: Opportunities for Indigenous Australians. – The editors would appreciate your feedback on the pilot edition of Learning For All.