Training increases job confidence for Indigenous learners
18 April 2005
Nine out of ten Indigenous Australians who have undergone recent training report increased confidence because they can communicate better with people and feel better about themselves generally.
The findings – released this month by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) for the Australian Indigenous Training Advisory Council (AITAC) – indicate the real benefits of vocational education and training (VET) as reported by Indigenous Australians across the length and breadth of the country.
This groundbreaking survey is the first of Indigenous VET learners on a national scale and seeks to find out more about Indigenous people’s training experiences with the aim of improving training and its associated employment and social benefits.
Other benefits reported included becoming more involved in the local community (72%) and gaining employment or a better/different job (62%).
AITAC co-Chair Bill Wilson says these initial findings have begun answering some important questions about the value of vocational education and training within Indigenous communities and the motivations for training in the first place.
“Being ‘work-ready’ is not just about having skills – it’s about believing in your own ability to use them competently. Some personal benefits gained from training led to the following comments:
“…didn’t feel like a failure anymore…”
“…rather look for jobs instead of grog.”
“Indigenous Australians are turning to VET in increasing numbers in order to skill up for the workforce – a vital trend given that Australia is currently facing the worst skills shortage in forty years,” Wilson said.
“The good news is that in addition to practical skills and information, VET gives Indigenous people vital confidence and communication skills which will make them more valuable employees.
“For example, of those who participated in this survey, 90% agreed the training had improved their skills for the workplace and 76% better understood how businesses and workplaces run.
“These results are encouraging both for Indigenous VET learners and their future employers.”
NCVER conducted the survey among 457 Indigenous people in Australian major cities, outer regional locations and remote areas.
A comprehensive report on the results will be released in August 2005. For further information about the survey, including links to related publications and Indigenous Australians in vocational education and training: National research strategy for 2003-2005, visit www.ncver.edu.au/students/31008.html 
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