Respect for Country Job Skills Project
Menu: Click across the green arrows to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.Case for change
The units of competency in the AHC Training Package related to Aboriginal Site Works (ASW) and Indigenous Land Management (ILM) have not been reviewed for content for some time. During this period, job roles have grown in importance and more opportunities exist for Aboriginal and Islander people to take up occupations related to the skills and knowledge covered by the unit sectors.
It is important to retain the integrity of the units and protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights to be able to utilise these knowledge and skills for their communities and for personal vocations. It is also important to ensure that these critical knowledge and skills can be recognised by employers for job opportunities, and that any skills gaps are identified and addressed.
The Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) approved this project, out of the 2021 Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast (see pages 63-68).
The Agriculture and Production Horticulture IRC and the Amenity Horticulture, Landscaping, Conservation and Land Management IRC will oversee this project as part of their responsibility to support engagement with the industry, and to ensure the project meets industry stakeholder needs.
Skills Impact will manage this project, consistent with the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.
Register your interest in the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form. |
Project Plan
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures possess skills and knowledge for respecting Country that have been developed over thousands of years. Some of these skills and knowledge are used in jobs connected to managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land and reporting on important sites. These are described in nationally endorsed qualifications, skill sets and units that are used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned registered training organisations (RTOs) to equip leaners for jobs in ecosystem management, conservation, environmental and cultural analysis, and ranger occupations, as well as roles preparing government, legislative or regulatory reports.
Skills Impact is seeking to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about whether these qualifications and stills standards still describe the skills and knowledge required of this work, and to hear about any improvements that can be made.
The project team of Michelle Ingley-Smith and Cathy Beven are here to talk about the current qualifications, skill sets and units and are seeking guidance on whether they can better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners and communities.
| Michelle Ingley-Smith, Industry Engagement Manager Michelle is a proud Maori woman descending from the Ngati Korokoro hapu (subtribe) of the Ngapuhi iwi (tribe). Her ancestors traditionally inhabited the area around Hokianga on the North-West coast of Northland, Aotearoa. She currently lives on Country of the Kaurna people in the Adelaide Plains of South Australia. 0438 632 439 |
| Cathy Beven, Industry Skills Standards Specialist Cathy has experience training and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Far North Queensland, specifically in and around Cape York and Thursday Island. She has also worked with members of a not-for-profit organisation designing a holistic healthy living program for school students in Aboriginal communities in Northern Territory and Northern Western Australia. She currently lives on Boon Wurrung Country. 03 9321 3526 |
Feedback about this project is welcomed at any time by contacting Michelle or Cathy by email or phone.
If you would like to receive updates on the project, you can register your interest by following the newsletter subscription link below.
Subscribe to updates about the projectSubscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates and opportunities to provide input and feedback. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management’ as your industry of interest. Register your interest |
Relevant Occupations
- Rangers Land & Sea
- Conservation Field Officers
- Cultural & Heritage Officers
- Land Council Site Officers
- ILM Assistants
- Mine Workers
- Surveyors
- Forestry Workers
- Tourism Operators / Guides
Project Scope
As part of this project, we are seeking feedback on two qualifications, 14 skill sets and 35 units of competency that relate to skills and knowledge for respecting Country.
Qualifications and Units