Indigenous Development Programs

One of the most rewarding opportunities that we get in this industry is the opportunity to assist remote, interstate and local indigenous communities as well as youth and job seekers to find gainful employment. Not only do we have a number of training packages that are developed and “ready to go” we also work closely with JSA’s, recruitment agencies and various other government and non-government organisations to tailor programs to their needs.

Our programs vary in their delivery from 2 and 3 day workshops to 6 week fulltime live-in mentoring, where our mentors and facilitators live in a house with participants for the entire duration of the program.

Indigenous Programs

Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) provider Cairns 2011

DIDP is provided through a partnership between the Department of Defense, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and QLD Department of Education and Training (DET). Dedicated Training & Consulting Group is funded as a ‘provider’ by DEEWR under the Indigenous Employment Panel (IEP) to provide Mentoring Services and “Life Skills” training to help Indigenous youth develop their self confidence and skills to work towards achieving their dream of employment within the Australian Defence Forces or another industry of their choice.

To find out more please visit the following websites:

• The Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP)
• Cairns Indigenous trainees march out
• Navy supports Indigenous youth program
• Defence Indigenous Development Program

GEBIE Hospitality Program

Previously, Dedicated Training and Consulting Group facilitated a program for ‘Darwin Skills Development Scheme’ , ‘Anindilyakwa Land Council’ and ‘Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Island Enterprise’ to train and prepare indigenous job seekers for employment at the Groote Eylandt 4-star Dugong Beach Resort.

Some basic hospitality training had been conducted on Groote by a couple of education providers, however the group were looking for a more comprehensive course that would provide participants with life skills as well as skills for the Hospitality and Tourism industries. For the first group of job seekers, a government training organisation was commissioned to help with the program but after a 0% success rate and disappointing results they decided to look for another company to partner with. Enter…Dedicated Training and Consulting Group.

Our team got together, put on our ‘thinking caps’ and developed a comprehensive hands on, interactive and fun program whereby all participants would learn valuable food and beverage, cleaning, service, retail and operations skills as well as communication, presentation and life skills, critical to their employment success. The program would cater for 6 participants at a time and would last for 6 weeks!

Cate and Jim Ashmore, owners and directors of Dedicated Training, volunteered to give up living in their own home with their dogs and creature comforts, to move into a rented house and and look after the participants 24/7 from the minute they were picked up from the airport, to the minute they were put back on the plane. There was a strict NO drugs and alcohol ban implemented as well as rotating, meal preparation, cooking and cleaning rosters for the entire 6 week period.

Weekends and nights were filled with fun activities such as fishing, jet skiing, kayaking, arts and crafts, bbq’s, bush walking, playing cards, watching movies, Taipans games and going out the cinemas. If Cate and Jim were invited to a function or social event, the group piled into the Troop Carrier and tagged along as this helped with their social behaviour.

The initial program had all 6 participants still employed after 6 months – 100% success!!

Due to the success of the first program with Dedicated Training, Cate, Jim and the team were given the opportunity to work with a second group. Who after having successfully participated in the program commenced working at the Resort with 3 in housekeeping, 2 in Food and Beverage and 1 in front office.

Working with the Groote Eylandt community was a life changing experience for all involved and when asked about their experience working with Dedicated Training, ALC and GEBIE said that “their exceptional mentoring, training and understanding of the participants cultural backgrounds is second to none!” and that they will definately be working with Dedicated Training again.

Article about our GEBIE programs: The Cairns Post Weekender – ‘Total Immersion CEO’

GEBIE Canteen “Nurtrition” Program

Due to the success of our previous programs, we were contacted by GEBIE to develop a program for the aboriginal school canteens on the island, covering everything from meal planning, preparation, nutrition, hygeine and OH&S. The program was to run for 5 days and we were to train the participants during school hours, meaning that they had to attend training as well as prepare the school meals for the day.

Whilst this program, like most, had its challenges, our trainer had an incredible, life changing experience with the ladies. She was so thrilled with the final outcomes and the hospitality that she received from everyone and said that “it was sad to leave as they (the participants) had made such amazing progress and they really care about the children and keeping them as safe as possible.” All of the participants asked Suzi if she could stay and should move her family up to Groote!