Eight schools around Australia will benefit from a $4.1 million pilot program that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students stay in school and go on to rewarding careers in their local communities. 

Minister for School Education Peter Garrett today visited Broome Senior High School, announcing the first round of schools to take part in the Indigenous Rangers Cadetship (IRC) pilot, part of the Building Australia’s Future Workforce strategy.

“I’ve been very keen to see this happen, as Indigenous Ranger Cadetships are about giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from regional and remote communities the skills they need to become rangers in their local area,” Mr Garrett said.

“This heralds an exciting new era in providing students with the opportunity to work on country, as rangers and in associated roles in natural resource management.

“I have seen firsthand the good work being done by Indigenous Rangers across their land and sea country, in bush regeneration and control of feral animals.

“Not only does this program offer students a career path, it ensures they stay at school and get a great education; with the training in natural resource management and cultural studies to be provided throughout the schooling years.

“I’m positive that the pilot will be enthusiastically supported and I’m really pleased we can get these cadetships underway.”

Students will undertake a nationally recognised qualification, which will give them the skills for jobs on local land management projects.

The first schools to take part in the pilot are:

• Vincentia High School (NSW)
• Tagai State College (Qld)
• Western Cape College (Qld)
• Kununurra District High School (WA)
• Broome Senior High School (WA)
• Yirrkala School (NT)
• Shepherdson College (NT)
• Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College (NT)

Mr Garrett said the pilot will provide up to $250,000 to each of the schools, which were identified by an advisory panel, chaired by Professor Denise Bradley AC, as having already demonstrated a commitment to quality teaching and learning.

“The aim of this program is to help students successfully move from school to work, preferably in their local area and in a role that benefits both themselves and their community,” Mr Garrett said.

“The Indigenous Rangers are set to play a pivotal role in natural resource management, with the cadetships offering a huge opportunity to start students on this path whilst still at school.”

The first eight pilot schools will begin the pilot program in Term 3 of 2012, with further schools to commence in the 2013 school year