FIVE Aboriginal entrepreneurs graduated this week in Katherine ready to start their own new small businesses.
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The graduates have already identified launching small businesses in Indigenous Art, Aboriginal and Cultural Consultancy, Catering, Beauty Therapy.
The RMIT held a graduation ceremony in Katherine on Wednesday.
Following are the names of the graduates from the ceremony on Wednesday night:
RMIT Certificate IV New Small Business
Madeline Bower
Sherryl King
Samantha Sing
Kamahi King
Majella Friel
RMIT Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs – Katherine
Brett Holdsworth
Bruce King
Danisha Veeraragoo
Jeffrey King
Luke Kenafake
Melvina Soundron
Rebecca Kenafake
Sandeep Butter
Shane Wing
Stuart Martin
William Higgins
A group of 12 local health service workers also graduated from an RMIT University program aimed to equip them for the increasing demand for alcohol and other drugs treatment in the Katherine area.
RMIT Business Enterprise Unit program manager Brett Stavenuiter said over the past year budding entrepreneurs have participated in learning business skills through a blended learning model consisting of online delivery and mini projects supported by a tutor in Katherine and teaching staff in Melbourne.
“The Katherine entrepreneur graduates will now receive 12 months mentor support from experienced business operators whilst setting up their businesses.
“The graduates are now eligible for further study though a pathway into an Associate Degree and then into a business degree.
Katherine health service workers have been upskilled to meet growing demand for alcohol and drug treatment.
The graduates from Sunrise Health, Kalano and the Department of Health completed RMIT University’s Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs
RMIT Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drugs studies Chris Walters said monthly workshops in Katherine over the past 10 months, has helped address skill shortages and equipped local health workers to better manage the social issues they face in their jobs in local communities.
“The work is difficult and sometimes confronting. People at the front line need real skills that work in a very practical, down-to-earth way.
“RMIT and NT health service providers have partnered to design and deliver contextualised, nationally accredited programs in AOD
“Health care workers need the best training and development regardless of where they live and work in Australia.”
Now in its seventh year, RMIT’s NT education program has trained 152 local health workers in health service organisations in and around Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Ngukurr.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Cultural Centre.