TAFE Diploma course leads to better business governance for Indigenous organisations

Monday 3rd March 2008

“For Indigenous organisations on the North Coast to achieve full ‘self-determination’ and to be on a level playing field with other mainstream organisations, it is essential that key staff members undertake the Diploma of Business Governance”; said Dianne Harrington, North Coast TAFE student and Programmes Officer, with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Ms Harrington added, “Over the years we have seen a number of Indigenous organisations struggle   and have to wind up their operations due to the lack of proper knowledge, skills and understanding of the legal operational requirements”.

Since commencing the governance training in 2006, Dianne has increased her basic knowledge and has developed a better and deeper understanding of the legal operational requirements for organisations. Dianne is now able to assist organisations in meeting their contractual obligations for government funding.

Ms Harrington also explained that as the new Corporations (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI) is being introduced at present and comes into effect as of 1st July 2008, it will be essential for all Indigenous boards to have the skills and knowledge to meet the accountability requirements of this Act.

“Once the board members gain these important skills, many of the current problems will no longer exist for them…for instance, they will no longer have to engage outside consultants to develop key elements like submissions and policies for them,” says Ms Harrington.

“They will actually save money, which will enable them to deliver a better service, and it will also increase their confidence to be able to ask the right questions when needed.”

Tony Dreise, Director of TAFE NSW-North Coast Institute’s North Coast Aboriginal Learning Partnership said that the Diploma of Business Governance is very significant in that it will enhance and increase the knowledge and capacity for Indigenous people to create strong sustainable Indigenous organisations.

Mr Dreise said that the aim of the Diploma was multi-purpose, notably to:

• Support and provide the opportunity for the emergence of strong Indigenous management boards and functional organisations
• Increase community capacity building and development
• Increase leadership skills across the organisation and within the community
• Generate greater understanding of the Contract Management Framework of government agencies and funding bodies
• Ensure better financial and human resource management
• Ensure ‘productive relationships’ across the organisation
• Achieve ‘optimum organisational performance’
• Enhance the level of competitiveness of the individual into the broader/mainstream sector eg NRMA, Hospitals etc
• Develop an improved ‘knowledge management’ system within the community
• Assist in the ‘life long learning’ process of individuals through the profession of transferable skills etc.

              Anyone interested in the Diploma of Business Governance should contact Ros Sten on 0266230310 or Klara Marosszeky 0422750612 for more information.