TAFE Western is making a reputation for itself throughout Australia and internationally for their efforts to bridge the gap in the disadvantage that Aboriginal people experience relation to education and employment.
On Monday, 5 August 2013 at 10:30am, TAFE Western will officially unveil the new Aboriginal name ‘Winhangarra’ for the conference room at the Lithgow College.
Rod Towney, TAFE Western’s Manager of Aboriginal Education and Training said, “Winhangarra is a Wirajduri word which means think, hear listen.
“Today’s ceremony is another step in TAFE Western’s journey in Aboriginal education and training.”
Last year the Institute launched an Aboriginal Cultural Competence Framework to inform staff and build the capacity of the whole organisation to continue its work with Aboriginal peoples.
One of the elements of the framework is to have visuals and symbols which are relevant and welcoming for Aboriginal people.
“The naming of rooms with Aboriginal names is one of the action items and means that all of the conference rooms at each of the twenty four campuses across western NSW will be named in the language of the people of that country. To do that, TAFE Western has consulted with the Aboriginal community to get ideas about possible phrases and to agree on a suitable name,” Mr Towney said.
TAFE Western plays a vital role in meeting industry and community needs and is a key player in the region partnering closely with education providers, employers and other organisations providing pathways to further education or employment.