13 April 2015
The Hon. Luke Hartsuyker MP, Federal Member for Cowper, Assistant Minister for Employment and Deputy Leader of the House, officially launched Booroongen Djugun College’s Mobile Training Unit on behalf of the Australian Government.
Mr. Hartsuyker said “The mobile training unit will be of huge value to the local community, being able to provide top quality education and training to people who generally would not be able to take advantage of these learning opportunities. Transport is a major barrier to many young people gaining access to training, but this mobile training unit overcomes this problem by taking training to the people.”
Mr. Hartsuyker went on to say “I’m very excited to see this amazing coach go into action and providing a chance for people in the area to take advantage of this mobile learning facility, which will see them increase their skill levels and lead to improved work opportunities. The fact that the coach was built and fitted out by a local company (Express Coach Builders) in Macksville is very impressive and proves that regional areas can produce top quality products, more than equaling what is available from major metropolitan areas.”
The community was represented by Mid North Coast Aboriginal organisations, Kempsey Shire councillors, school principals and students, job networks, TAFE, Australian Red Cross, North Coast Medicare Local, Police Local Area Command, and Diabetes NSW.
The Welcome to Country was performed by Uncle Bob Smith, a Dunghutti Elder and attendees were entertained by the Dunghutti Traditional Dancers.
Also in attendance was Uncle Richard Campbell who is the artist responsible for the outstanding artwork displayed on the training unit.
The training unit is a coach which has been fully fitted out as a training centre, complete with work stations, projector screen, internet access and other facilities, all designed to provide classroom facilities which are totally mobile.
Co-founder and Director of Operations of Booroongen Djugun Limited, Val March OAM, said the mobile training unit would go to places that do not have training facilities in the area and is especially funded for our Aboriginal community. The main purpose is to give people accredited training to have them job ready and competitive in the job market.
The training unit is designed for the delivery and expansion of accredited Vocational Education Training (VET) for up to 20 students at a time.
The unit will be demand driven and would be working in partnership with jobactive organisations to ensure that people who want to use the facility will have access to it.
