An Australian university has set up shop in a far-flung corner of the Northern Territory, in a bid to try and turn around high unemployment rates, and skill people up in remote communities.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) said its return to north-east Arnhem Land would allow students to learn trades in their home environment – in the bush and out at sea – and not be split from family for long stretches.
The university's associate vice-chancellor for the region, Alice Doyle, said the courses were a game changer for industry training and employment in the region, after a nearly 10 year hiatus.
"Being able to deliver courses here, on country, is massive for the region," she said.
Census data indicates east Arnhem Land has an unemployment rate above 25 per cent – more than six times higher than the national average.
While not solely geared for Aboriginal students, one of the university's main ambitions is to see Yolngu people trained up with the abilities to fix issues in their home communities, and shake a dependence on taxpayer-funded fly-in fly-out (FIFO) contractors.
"The region has a low training rate, and the importance of CDU to train local people, for local jobs, in their communities, is extremely beneficial," Ms Doyle said.
"Lots of communities have people that want work, need work, and unfortunately that work's either being contracted on a FIFO basis, or the work is being contracted out of community."
One course being developed by the university in the region is a housing maintenance program.
"The idea of this course [is that] once they've completed it, [graduates] will be able to maintain not only their housing, but also any community buildings such as clinics and police stations," Ms Doyle said.
'Make your family proud, make yourself proud'
One of those taking up the new training is Tyson Wangurra, a Yolngu man, who was out on the sea for his dogging course.
He said he wanted to see others from his family follow his path.
"Having all the locals working in the communities where they're from or near where they're from just makes sense to me," Mr Wangurra said.
"Go get your own money, make your family proud, make yourself proud, show your kids how to make their own money, so they don't have to rely on anyone."
Mr Wangurra also spoke of the benefits of being able to be trained on his home country.
"The islands, the animals, it's a great place to be, I'm proud to be from here," he said.
No need for expensive flights
Another among the cohort taking up the new training is Aliyah Mills, who was born and bred in the east Arnhem township of Nhulunbuy.
"It's a little mining town, and training-wise, everyone's had to travel to Darwin or out of town," she said.
"It's tricky to get flights, and flights aren't that cheap, so that's been a challenge."
The university previously pulled out of north-east Arnhem Land following the curtailment of the region's major employer, a Rio Tinto alumina refinery, in 2013.
The university is also talking with schools in the area, to explore the possibility of opening up trades apprenticeship pathways, starting from next year.
The university doesn't currently have a campus in the region, however is hoping to open one in the future.
