Thursday was a momentous occasion for 24 TAFE Western Aboriginal students as they graduated from unique health and police training programs.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Fifteen students completed an 18-month Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice course, while nine students graduated from the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program.
Wellington’s Tiffany Hardin was among the IPROWD graduates, who hailed from right across the state including Coonabarabran, Wee Waa, Illawong, Woy Woy, Port Macquarie, Umina Beach and Macksville.
Ms Hardin said the program prepared her well for a future career as a police officer.
“The long hours when you’ve got to travel but it also gets you out of your comfort zone,” she said.
“I just thought it was a good career and I wanted to be a role model for my son.”
She has now enrolled in an online university policing course, taking it “step by step”, and said IPROWD has given her “friends for life”.
Acting TAFE Western Institute Director Adam Bennett said the graduation was a special occasion.
“TAFE Western is very proud to be involved in both of these unique Aboriginal programs,” acting TAFE Western director Adam Bennett said.
“Most importantly, we’re very proud of these graduating students and feel they deserve this recognition for taking a huge step towards achieving their dreams with these TAFE qualifications.”
