Special Courses for Aboriginals

Abstract

Proposals for special training courses for Aboriginals in New South Wales have been made intermittently over the last few years. It has been firmly established that Aboriginals have not been acquiring trade skills, despite policies designed to provide equal opportunities for both Aboriginals and white Australians. Aboriginals have tended to gravitate towards unskilled, casual or labouring positions, while unemployment has been many times higher than of the general population. Although the educational system has attempted to prepare Aboriginals for a European life style, they have nevertheless tended to fall into the low income/unskilled employment class.

It is generally conceded that Aboriginals are disadvantaged in comparison to non-Aboriginals in regard to open employment. The disadvantages stem from remoteness from employment opportunities, relatively low levels of education, lack of work skills and cultural differences.