Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles (right), pictured with Labor Leichhardt candidate Matt Smith during a recent Torres Strait visit, has announced Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Corporation will receive $150,000 to improve the literacy, numeracy and digital skills of local jobseekers. Photo: Facebook (Matt Smith – Labor for Leichhardt).
A Torres Strait Indigenous corporation has received $150,000 in funding to deliver five projects aimed at improving the literacy, numeracy and digital skills of local jobseekers.
The Federal Government announced this week Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Corporation (GBK) had been successful in securing funding through its Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) First Nations program.
Around 20 per cent of Australian adults lack the basic literacy, numeracy and digital skills to gain better jobs and participate fully in society.
For First Nations people, it is estimated that 40 per cent of adults have minimal English literacy and this figure can rise as high as 70 per cent in remote communities.
Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles travelled to the Torres Strait for the announcement on 4 March, with projects set to be delivered on Thursday Island, Saibai Island, Mer Island, Poruma Island and Badu Island.
“We are working to close the gap, by removing barriers to accessing life-changing education and training for First Nations Australians,” he said.
“First Nations Australians are disproportionally affected by low levels of reading, writing, numeracy and digital skills, so the SEE program has set the foundation for helping Australians secure good, valuable jobs, no matter where they live.”
SEE First Nations is a new stream of the national funding program and provides grants to community-controlled organisations so they can partner directly with training providers.
GBK Chair Ned David said the funding would help empower local communities by ensuring access to quality education and skills training.
“Through the SEE First Nations program, we are strengthening pathways for our people to develop core literacy, numeracy, and digital skills — building brighter futures and stronger communities across the region,” he said.
