Employment, Education & Training

Education and training are critical parts of improving the lives of Indigenous Torres Strait residents.  If Torres Strait Islanders are to be able to participate fully in employment opportunities regionally and nationally, they must be educated and trained.  The TSRA is committed to working with the responsible Australian and Queensland Government agencies to improve access to forms of learning that meet community needs and take into account the remoteness of the region. 

Challenges faced in this isolated area include the fact that English often is a second or third language and students face difficulties because of this. Torres Strait students need strong foundations to become valued, responsible and independent members of this region. 
An Integrated Approach

The delivery of educational programs and services, although the responsibility of other government agencies, is supported by the TSRA and key stakeholders to improve education, employment and training outcomes in the Torres Strait region.

The TSRA funds training and employment initiatives through the Community Development and Employment Projects (CDEP) program and the Community Training Program (CTP).

The CDEP provides opportunities for Indigenous people to work in community managed activities that contribute to economic, social and community development, as well as cultural maintenance. The community decides which projects will be given their attention according to community priorities. The CDEP may also link with other programs, such as the Business Funding Scheme, (BFS), Community Economic Initiatives Schemes (CEIS), CTP, apprenticeships and other accredited training programs provided by government agencies. However, forming these linkages is the responsibility of each CDEP.

There are 19 CDEPs covering 19 communities that support 2,000 participants across the Torres Strait.  Activities undertaken include community beautification, basic municipal services, infrastructure maintenance, roads and drainage, sewing classes, kiosk and resort operations, garage operations and building enterprises.
The TSRA has established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Centrelink to set out the working arrangements that allows the exchange and processing of CDEP participant information involving both stakeholders. The MOU identifies and agrees on the respective roles and responsibilities of both parties, methods of communication between them, and timeliness and quality standards in the provision of data and services, and the management of information. The MOU strengthens economic and social development in the region to improve the lifestyle and wellbeing of Indigenous people. 

Under the CTP, funding is provided through the TSRA to CDEP organisations. The objective is to improve individual skill levels so individuals, communities and organisations become more competitive in mainstream labour markets. Island Councils and other CDEP organisations apply for funding to upgrade skills and to provide community based training. Programs are delivered through formal training, on the job training or a mixture of both. The CTP may also provide financial assistance for sponsoring an organisation’s staff member to undertake a full-time accredited course at a recognised tertiary educational institution.

The TSRA has also implemented the Assistance with Tertiary Education Scheme (ATES) scholarships program that commenced in 2002.  This program is designed to encourage and assist Indigenous students to further their education.  As at June 2005, three university students assisted by ATES have graduated with tertiary qualifications.

From 2007, two cadetships will be offered within the TSRA under the National Indigenous Cadetships Project

TSRA Approach

Education
Due to challenges faced in this remote region, including the fact that English is often used as a second or third language, Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal students can experience difficulty in achieving the same standard of literacy and numeracy skills as those achieved by mainland non-Indigenous students.
The TSRA will continue to work with the Australian and Queensland Governments and other education stakeholders to ensure that the success of schools in the Torres Strait region is measured against mainstream non-Indigenous schools, particularly in areas of language proficiency and numeracy programs.  The emphasis is also on increasing the number of students completing Year 12 certificates.

Training and Employment
Many people have neither the experience nor the credentials to take advantage of employment opportunities in the Torres Strait region, and many of the training programs are not aligned to the opportunities available.
For the TSRA, the focus is on ensuring people in the region are trained appropriately to take advantage of employment opportunities, which involves encouraging improvement in, and monitoring of industry and training service providers.  Furthermore, employment opportunities need to be sufficient to meet the growing population demand, and the TSRA is encouraging and monitoring all stakeholders to improve employment prospects in all business enterprise and economic development programs and services delivered in the region.
 
More detailed information on this and other regional issues concerning the TSRA Board is available through the TSRA Development Plan for 2005 – 2009.