More than 40 new Aboriginal Community Workers (ACWs) will start training next month at Charles Darwin University, with the goal of promoting health and wellbeing in NT communities.
The Northern Territory Government’s Department of Health and Families’ new ACWs are part of a community development approach to delivering services to remote areas.
This approach recognises the importance of Aboriginal people working with individuals, families and communities. It also acknowledges the extensive cultural knowledge, skills, and experience that Aboriginal people bring to their work.
The training is suitable for ACWs dealing with a wide range of health service areas, including alcohol and other drugs, hearing health, adult and child health, youth, non-clinical mental health, support workers, community development, and population health.
CDU’s Community Services and Health Team Leader, Andrew Vodic said nationally accredited qualifications and training would greatly assist ACWs in their work.
“No one is better positioned to deliver these services than actual community members,” he said.
“The training will also emphasise the importance of building relationships with the many groups involved in remote health service delivery.
“Our trainers will work with each ACW, their area service managers, and primary health care managers, to ensure an ongoing coordinated approach.”
The training program will be delivered by CDU lecturers visiting ACWs in their communities. The university and the Department of Health and Families will provide nationally recognised career pathways for the new workers.
CDU was the successful tenderer for the onsite delivery of Certificate II and III Community Services for ACWs. The academic training of the ACWs is funded by the Australian Government’s Expanded Health Service Delivery Initiative.