The South Australian Government has officially opened the new $7.3 million Anangr Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjtjara (APY) Trade Training Centre at Umuwa, aimed at providing opportunities for skills training and career pathways for young people living in remote Aboriginal communities in the State’s north-west.

 

In a first for the region, the centre will provide facilities for training in skills such as automotive, engineering, construction, hospitality, rural operations, and landscaping and horticulture.

 

The centre is being funded by the Australian Government through the $2.5 billion Trade Training Centres in Schools program.

 

State Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconcilliation, Paul Caica, said that the centre will also provide accommodation for up to 24 people.

 

“Until now, people from the APY Lands wanting to undertake skills training have had to leave their communities and go to either Port Augusta or Adelaide to further their education.

 

“Students can enrol in Vocational Education and Training to form a large part of the South Australian Certificate of Education, and this will greatly enhance the opportunity for students from the APY Lands to achieve the certificate while gaining employment skills along the way.” Training will be delivered by a range of registered training organisations engaged specifically for the purpose.

 

The South Australian Government and the Department of Education and Child Development are implementing the program in partnership with the Commonwealth.