Hundreds of First Nations people are accessing free, tailored foundation skills training through the Albanese Government's Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program, supported by $38.5 million in community‑led funding.
Around 40 per cent of First Nations adults have minimal English literacy - this number can be as high as 70 per cent in remote communities.
Over the past year, $37.7 million have been invested in 11 SEE First Nations delivery grants, to provide tailored language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) skills in regional and remote Australia.
For example, a $5.5 million grant is supporting foundation skills training across eight Arnhem Land communities, co‑designed with Traditional Owners, ranger groups and community members in locations including:
- Bulman
- Weemol
- Barrapunta (Emu Springs)
- Yathalamarra
- Manmoyi
- Kabulwarnamyo
- Mamadawerre
- Marlkawo
The SEE First Nations program has also provided 30 scoping grants - totalling $805,000 - for recipients to consult with and assess training needs in local communities.
One recipient, Cape York Employment, is using a scoping grant to examine the unique language needs of Far North Queensland communities and support stronger pathways into education and jobs.
First established over two decades ago, the SEE program gives Australians the literacy and numeracy skills they need to increase their employability and open pathways to further education or work.
