Curtin students set themselves up for the future with the National Indigenous Cadetship Program

Many high profile companies including Alcoa, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Sinclair Knight Mertz, and Woodside are offering generous cadetships to Indigenous students studying in Western Australian universities and training organisations.

Through the National Indigenous Cadetship Program (NICP) students are linked with a company which provides them with support and work experience for the duration of their degree.  Many companies also offer full time employment once the student has completed their studies.

One of those taking this opportunity is Curtin University of Technology student and Westminster resident Lani Harris.

Lani is currently studying geology and environmental biology after completing a bridging course at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin and is completing her cadetship with Rio Tinto.

“The cadetship has been a great experience so far,” she said.

“I have had the opportunity to travel to Rio Tinto’s mine site at Gladstone and I will complete my three months work experience at the Argyle Diamond Mine in the East Kimberley over the Christmas holidays.

“I feel extremely lucky to be one of only seven cadets Australia wide that Rio Tinto has taken on and having the prospect of stepping into full time employment with the company after I have graduated.”

Students participating in the NICP receive $300 per week to assist with their living expenses as well as $1000 per year to cover the costs of text books and equipment required for their study.  Students must fulfil a number of requirements to keep their cadetship including remaining in regular contact with the company providing their cadetship, maintaining a good academic record as well as undertaking 12 weeks work experience with the company each year. 

The NICP started in the late 1980s with cadetships in the Australian Public Service. The success of the program has seen it expanding to include organisations in the private sector.

Curtin’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies will be holding Make the Link: Cadetship Seminar Linking Tertiary Indigenous Students & Employers expo on Wednesday 24 October.  The expo will be an opportunity for Indigenous students currently studying at a tertiary institution to learn more about the National Indigenous Cadetship Program and the many scholarships on offer to Indigenous students at Curtin.

Organisations which currently participate in the cadetship program will also be present to talk to students.  Organisations that will be represented at the expo are: Alcoa, the Australian Public Service Commission, BHP, Centrelink, the Department of Housing and Works, the Chamber of Minerals & Energy, The Foundation for Young Australians, Landgate, Nyaarla Projects, Rio Tinto, Sinclair Knight Mertz, St John of God Health Care, Tourism WA, Water Corp and Woodside.

The expo will run from 12pm on Wednesday 24 October in the Norm Dufty Lecture Theatre on Curtin’s Bentley Campus with a barbeque lunch to follow at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies.

Note Editor/COS: All media are welcome to attend this event. To register your interest, please contact Katie McGregor on 08 9266 4364 or email k.mcgregor@curtin.edu.au

Modified: 23 October 2007

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