EMPLOYERS, educators and trainers came to better understand the importance of connecting with Aboriginal people at a 2014 Dubbo conference focused on improving their post-school experiences.
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The three-day conference called Bangamalanha, a Wiradjuri word meaning " to share with each other", will be repeated in October 2015 with about 200 delegates expected to converge on Dubbo RSL Club.
TAFE Western will again host the conference considered "unique" in Australia.
Conference organiser Maxine Greenfield said participants would include representatives of employers, TAFE, universities, registered training organisations, job service agencies and apprenticeship centres.
Key supporters of the conference included the State Training Services of the NSW Department of Education and Communities and the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Incorporated, she said.
Ms Greenfield said feedback from the inaugural conference had revealed its value to Aboriginal people and delegates alike.
"There were a number of service providers that were introduced at the conference that now continue to work together," she said.
"That's produced better outcomes for Aboriginal people and for the actual service providers...because they're more effective in achieving their outcomes."
Ms Greenfield said the conference had been a vehicle for delegates to "achieve their career aspirations" through job offers.
She considers one of the most important outcomes of the 2014 event to be a greater awareness of the need to reach out to clients, both young and old.
"A lot of service providers have articulated in their feedback that they have at least some understanding of the importance of communicating and engaging with Aboriginal communities," she said.
Dubbo artist/performer Lewis Burns will fill the role of master of ceremonies for the 2015 conference from October 26 to 28.
Key note speakers will include Tom Calma, who has served as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
One of the highlights of the conference this year will be the return of renowned Indigenous chef Mark Olive, known as "the Black Olive".
He will tempt the tastebuds of delegates at the conference dinner at Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre on October 27 by using the likes of Indigenous herbs, emu and kangaroo, and serving pavlova topped with roasted wattle seed cream and Indigenous fruits.
