DEFENCE INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Twenty young Indigenous men from Arnhem Land’s Numbulwar through to Hermannsburg in Central Australia have begun a seven month military and life skills training course as part of the first Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP).

Speaking at the launch of the DIDP in Darwin today, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Defence, Science and Personnel, said the course forms part of the Australian Defence Force’s wider Indigenous Employment Strategy and will help increase the training and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians in remote communities.

“The ADF has much to offer, and much to learn, from Indigenous Australians and this pilot program for 20 young men illustrates Defence’s commitment to closing the Indigenous employment gap,” Mr Snowdon said.

“Whether they ultimately choose a career within Defence, or pursue other work, the next seven months will give these men skills and confidence that will serve them into the future.”

The seven month pilot course will be trialled at Darwin’s Larrakeyah Barracks and the Katherine Campus of Charles Darwin University,  Students will spend around four weeks in training, followed by a one week break at home in their community and will be paid and receive free health care, accommodation, meals and uniforms whilst attending the course.

The DIDP is a joint initiative between the Department of Defence, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training (DET).

The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O'Connor, said the aim of the pilot is to provide training and foundation skills development for young Indigenous men as well as give them a first hand experience of the range of careers on offer in the defence forces.

“Indigenous trainees will undertake basic military recruit training and specialised NORFORCE patrolman training, as well a Certificate II in Rural Operations which includes learning about landcare, construction, health and wellbeing and literacy and numeracy.

"We are looking forward to seeing the results of this pilot program and if it is successful we will be looking at providing the course on a broader scale next year,” Mr O’Connor said.

Media note: Imagery is available at http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):              02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Campbel Giles (Brendan O’Connor):          02 6277 7630 or 0407 972 900

Defence Media Liaison:                             02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664