SWSi Aboriginal student grads aim to join NSW Police
SWSi Aboriginal student grads aim to join NSW Police
23/09/2011
Six Aboriginal men and women have been studying a special course at TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute’s Macquarie Fields College to help them gain entry to the NSW Police College at Goulburn.
The course known as the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) has been running for the last 18 weeks and the six students graduated at a ceremony held at Campbelltown College.
The participants from Macquarie Fields TAFE College are the twelfth group to have completed the IPROWD program since it began in 2008. It has proven to be a successful pathway for Aboriginal people to either become NSW Police Officers, or benefit from employment in a variety of roles.
Sandra Gray, the TAFE NSW IPROWD Manager said, "Now that the students have completed the course IV they will be submitting applications for entry to the NSW Police College in Goulburn where they hope to join the January or May 2012 intake.
"The other students will continue to complete applications for NSW Police College over the next few weeks and other students will progress to further study or employment options.
"It is the success of IPROWD courses in Dubbo that has led to a state-wide initiative to deliver similar courses at Casino, Maitland, Macquarie Fields, Mt Druitt, Dubbo, Redfern, Nowra, Wagga Wagga, Broken Hill, Orange and Tamworth in 2011. This state-wide project will provide opportunities for 180 Aboriginal students to undertake the IPROWD training program in 2011 and 2012."
The IPROWD training program includes a Certificate III in Vocation and Study Pathways to meet the entry requirements of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice offered by Charles Sturt University at the NSW Police College.
The program is tailored to give Aboriginal people the confidence, skills and knowledge to join the Police. To achieve this, members of the NSW Police from the Campbelltown Local Area Police Commands have worked collaboratively with TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute teachers to provide assistance and mentoring to the students.
IPROWD is a joint project of TAFE NSW, NSW Police Force, Charles Sturt University and the Australian Government.
Carol-Anne Blecich, the Relieving Institute Director at TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute (SWSi) said, "IPROWD is an excellent example of the value partnerships like this can bring to people. It is a life-changing experience for the people who have taken part.
"TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute is committed to closing the gap on the disadvantage Aboriginal people experience in education. I congratulate the students who have taken up this opportunity and have now received a qualification that will open doors to employment and further education.
"SWSi is also pleased to have many senior NSW Police in attendance at the IPROWD graduation which demonstrates the high level of support the IPROWD program has from our partners the NSW Police Force."
Assistant Commissioner Mark Jenkins, Commander of Human Resources, said "the IPROWD program has proven to be highly successful, with a number of students planning to submit an application to the NSW Police College in Goulburn for the January and May 2012 Intake.
"As an organisation the NSW Police Force aims to reflect the community we represent and the IPROWD program is a way to assist potential Indigenous recruits reach their goal of joining the Force," Mr Jenkins said.
The IPROWD course is funded by the Australian Government and Senator Arbib said "IPROWD was a fantastic initiative between the Federal Government, TAFE NSW and the NSW Police Force.
"For many Indigenous Australians, the chance to train and secure a job with the NSW Police Force seems out of reach," Senator Arbib said.
"IPROWD will help participants develop the skills and academic qualifications needed for a career in the NSW Police Force."
