Breaking ground with the Yaka Dandjoo graduates
The sustainable employment training program, Yaka Dandjoo, is celebrating its 11th cohort of graduates. With a specialised, onsite training ground to complete hands-on apprenticeships, the future is bright for our graduates.
Published: 10 October 2023, Updated: 10 October 2023
Since October 2021, the Yaka Dandjoo program has supported 164 unemployed or never employed individuals turn their lives around. Now, almost two years since its inception, the program continues to develop and ensure that the participating individuals receive the backing they need to successfully carry on their unique career journeys. The most recent graduates have only just celebrated their completion of the program as part of the 11th cohort.
Yaka Dandjoo Graduates: Kaleb, Brendon and Derek
This group of graduates included:
- 13 participants
- Multiple individuals entering apprenticeships, including two female participants
- Aboriginal participants commencing work with Triodia (an Aboriginal business in drainage) and Melchor
Plus, there’s further interest from other organisations and a local Aboriginal business in engaging more of our participants.
Yaka Dandjoo Graduate: Ashleigh-Marie
So, what comes next for these graduates?
The Yaka Dandjoo team has partnered with Skill Hire and Apprentice Training Company to help support program participants engage in a civil construction apprenticeship. So far, 22 participants have begun a 12-to-36-month apprenticeship and continue to receive support from the Yaka Dandjoo team to complete the required accredited units of competency for the qualification.
These individuals can remain employed on the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (BORR) project as part of the hands-on practical component of their traineeship.
Yaka Dandjoo Graduate: Lachlan
The apprentices receive a dedicated trainer and safety advisor to help them upskill in various machine operations, as well as access to a specific training ground onsite on BORR. This area provides an excellent real-life arena where the apprentices can safely and comfortably hone their skills and gain valuable experience.
This unique opportunity to access a training ground is proving extremely helpful in ensuring dozens of graduates can prepare for long-term, successful employment and in so doing change their lives, their families’ lives and their community for the better.