The second intake of the Country Protection Project is underway, with nine participants starting a 12-week Certificate III in Agriculture in partnership with Central Regional TAFE. The qualification is an important requirement for participants working towards future Country Protection Officer roles.
Building practical skills for working on Country
Participants have already completed Side-by-Side Operations, White Card, First Aid, drone mapping and GPS training, building the practical skills they need to work safely and effectively on Country.
To deepen their understanding of mapping and GPS technology, the group visited the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. The visit gave participants a hands-on opportunity to connect their training with real-world applications, including how satellite technology, GPS and mapping support navigation, drone operations and land management.
The experience brought classroom learning to life through exploration, teamwork and fun. It also showed how modern technology can work alongside practical skills to support the protection and management of Country.
Strengthening foundation skills with VTS Carnarvon
Alongside their Certificate III training, participants completed two weeks of the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program with VTS Carnarvon.
The SEE Program focused on strengthening participants’ reading, writing, numeracy, communication and digital skills, while preparing them for the demands of further study. Learning wasn’t limited to the classroom. Participants were encouraged to learn through fun, practical and interactive activities, creating an environment where learning was enjoyable, collaborative and engaging.
In one team-building activity, participants used simple materials to design and construct a structure. The task had them practising communication, problem-solving, planning, creativity and teamwork, while building confidence in working together.
We are extremely proud of the strong attendance, active engagement and commitment the participants have shown. With the support of the VTS Carnarvon team, they have stepped out of their comfort zones to develop and grow their skills.
Looking ahead
The participants are continuing to build their skills, confidence and knowledge as they progress towards meaningful employment in Country Protection and environmental land management.
This program is part of the Remote Australia Employment Service, which is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).
