Top-end ingenuity puts national training spotlight on marvellous MARVIN
15 October 2004
A revolutionary training initiative that brings animation to education and breaks down cultural barriers is in line for a national training award.
Pioneered by the Northern Territory’s Department of Health and Community Services in partnership with industry and the community, MARVIN (Messaging Architecture for the Retrieval of Versatile Information & News) is a software platform that represents a fundamental shift in the way in which learning and knowledge is shared across cultures, language and communities.
MARVIN is one of three finalists to contest the Australian Training Initiative Award category of the 2004 Australian Training Awards to be held in Melbourne next month.
MARVIN allows relevant inexpensive, flexible health, education and government training resources to be created by Aboriginal communities for Aboriginal communities. The software transforms identified community members into animated characters which exist across a range of mediums, from traditional paper based resources to web-based e-learning systems and digital television. The program has begun to revolutionise training, education and communication strategies and is now recognised by agencies and organisations from around Australia and the world.
According to ANTA chairman, David Hind, Australia’s key to keeping ahead of international competitors is world-class training programs which meet the skill needs of businesses and individuals.
“Ingenious and innovative training programs like MARVIN are breaking new ground in delivering quality training when, how and where it’s needed most,” said Mr Hind.
Four NT students will also be competing at the national awards. Representing Darwin will be electrician Mark Harrison, public servant Kylie Oates, and trainer and graphic designer Judith Trezise. Brian Ross from Katherine will also compete in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year category at the Awards.
The 2004 Australian Training Awards will be held at the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne on Thursday, 18 November 2004. The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of apprentices, trainees and students as well as the contribution of enterprises and training providers to skilling Australia.
The Australian Training Awards are hosted by the Australian National Training Authority and supported by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES CONTACT: Alison Carbery, Red Agency, 03 9421 4899 or 0409 070 507
Register to attend at http://www.anta.gov.au/vetawards.asp or contact the organisers on 1800 150 653.