A LIFE-CHANGING journey may begin for 12 young Aboriginal people when the latest Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program kicks off in Dubbo today.
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More than half of the 500 students who have enrolled in the program in the past seven years are better for it, reports state co-ordinator of IPROWD Peter Gibbs.
"IPROWD is not only an important first step to gaining entry into the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn, but it opens the doors to many different and exciting careers," he said.
"Since 2008 when IPROWD was introduced, more than 500 students have enrolled, with 70 going on to gain employment with NSW Police as probationary constables.
"A further 150 students have secured other types of employment and more than 40 have pursued further education, studying law, teaching, nursing and justice studies.
"These results are really pleasing because we need our young people to make positive contributions to their communities and be positive role models for other family members."
The new students, from Dubbo, Orange, Lake Cargelligo, Coonabarabran, Griffith and Peak Hill, will undertake the program at TAFE Western's Dubbo College.
Institute director Kate Baxter is urging them to "make the most" of the program.
"I hope the new IPROWD students understand what a unique and exciting opportunity they have been presented with," she said.
"I hope that like so many before them, they grab this opportunity with both hands because it could be the start of a rewarding career."
This month the federal government confirmed that it would provide $2.5 million to fund the IPROWD program for the next two years.
Mr Gibbs said the program was seen as a vitally important investment in our people by NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, Deputy Premier and state Member for Dubbo Troy Grant, NSW Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business John Barilaro, federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Nigel Scullion.
"It's delivering real results and this further investment will ensure a minimum of 67 more participants gain employment as probationary constables with the NSW Police Force, and up to 203 participants access a variety of other employment opportunities," he said.
The new IPROWD students will be visited by NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams on Tuesday. For more information about the IPROWD program, visit iprowd.tafensw.edu.au.
