The Yaka Dandjoo program has now reached an incredible milestone with the most recent cohort of 16 graduates bringing the total number up to 151 since October 2021. 

This life-changing, and cross-generationally impactful program has helped participants, the majority of whom are Aboriginal and/or women, undergo professional training to prepare them for entry into the workforce.  

For many of the graduates, the program presents a unique opportunity to change their circumstances, positively contribute to their community as a whole and achieve that which they may have once thought to be out of reach. 

Beyond gaining work skills, Yaka Dandjoo is about working together—hence its name, which means exactly that. The program supports its graduates on an individual basis to ensure they are ready for long-term employment prospects that will continue to change their lives, and the lives of their families, for generations to come.

“We would like to acknowledge Cohort 10 for coming this far; moort (family) they have become. Noon-ook moortditij (you are strong) – keep thriving and djerabein mila biddi (happy further journey).” – Kandice, Acknowledgement to Country.


 Yaka Dandjoo’s tenth cohort celebrates their graduation with smiles and sunshine!

So, what are these job ready graduates planning on doing next? Five are entering apprenticeships in civil construction hosted by the South West Gateway Alliance (SWGA); while others are entering employment in drainage, traffic management and machine operations.

Our contracting partners have played an integral role in both the training and employment pathways for our 151 graduates to date and we are proud to work with them, some of which are listed below:

• Cast Civil
• Wormall
• Melchor 
• Supersett 
• Pipeline Technics 
• CB’s Traffic 
• Triodia
• Geographe Civil

Yaka Dandjoo is focused on providing new employment opportunities for young people, people over 45 years old, women and Aboriginal people who are unemployed or have never been employed. Check out the brief video below to see the difference Yaka Dandjoo has made over the last 18-months.