Michaela Meade
Kangan Institute’s new Indigenous teacher program has turned out its first five graduates.
The new training and assessment program, offered at the Broadmeadows campus, is tailored to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners.
The first graduates from the program – Caroline Tarran, Colin Atkinson, Trakka Clarkson, Charmaine Hamilton and Richie Kennedy – completed a contextualised version of a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, equipping them with a teaching qualification.
The program was designed by training and assessment teachers in collaboration with Kangan Institute’s Indigenous Education Centre and former students, and offers a culturally safe learning experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are training to be teachers.
Kangan Institute chief executive Sally Curtain said the course was a significant step towards closing a vital skills gap within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“Improving access to education and meaningful employment, raising cultural awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and working towards a reconciled and equitable Australia are key priorities for Kangan Institute,” Ms Curtain said.
“Education is at the very core of this commitment, with the Victorian government’s Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026 outlining a need to attract and retain more Koorie people to work as teachers in vocational education and training.
“Our unique program addresses this critical need, and as qualified trainers and assessors, our graduates are now equipped to drive meaningful and lasting change within the community.”
Planning is underway to offer the program again next year, with the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment part of the 2022 list of free TAFE courses.
