Indigenous Learners - Key Background Information

Indigenous Australians have less access to life-long learning and employment opportunities than other Australians.  Although many Indigenous people enrol in VET their completion rates and access to employment are still more limited than other learners.  Indigenous learners tend to predominate in lower level vocational education and training (VET) courses and have less access to apprenticeships and traineeships.

The Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) has taken steps to increase access to appropriate training for Indigenous peoples. The ANTA Board established the Australian Indigenous Training Council (AITAC) to increase participation by and outcomes for Indigenous peoples in vocational education and training. AITAC has been instrumental in the development and publication of two significant documents-the national strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and its accompanying blueprint for implementation.

Partners in a Learning Culture

Australia's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy for vocational education and training 2002-2005, Partners in a Learning Culture, defines a new vision for participation of Indigenous Australians in VET.

A vocational education and training system which renews and shares an Indigenous Learning culture with all Australians in a spirit of reconciliation, equity, justice, and community economic development and sustainability.

It includes four main objectives.

• Increasing involvement of Indigenous peoples in decision making about policy, planning, resources and delivery.
• Achieving participation in VET for Indigenous peoples equal to that of the rest of the Australian community.
• Achieving increased culturally appropriate and flexibly delivered training, including use of information technology for Indigenous peoples.
• Developing closer links between VET outcomes for Indigenous peoples and industry and employment.

The Blueprint for Implementation was released soon after the National Strategy as a guide for actions required to achieve the vision of the Partners in a Learning Culture.

The first section of the Blueprint provides an overview for decision-makers, setting out the business case and the Blueprint objectives; the second section outlines strategies and actions to drive the required changes and achieve the National Strategy objectives.  It includes resource requirements, timelines and performance measures.  For copies go to http://www.anta.gov.au/dapAITAC.asp  

Cultural Issues

A number of key cultural issues have a direct impact on effective training for Indigenous peoples.  These include:

• knowledge and understanding of the diversity of Indigenous communities and cultural groups
• appropriate and practical training that addresses individual and group learning styles
• appropriate accommodation and support for Indigenous learners
• flexibility for Indigenous learners to attend to cultural and community responsibilities
• appropriate training that addresses the environment in which graduates will be working
• appropriate service and support for particular health needs
• access to appropriate family and community support.