Family, friends and colleagues of 25 CDU students gathered to celebrate the end of the academic year at the Training Centre in Tennant Creek last week.
Centre Leader Kate Young said it was a fitting end to a year of good and steady growth in which CDU enhanced its reputation as the deliverer of flexible, quality training in the Barkly.
“For the first time we had Certificate III graduates in Music and a Certificate IV graduate in Government Investigation,” she said.
“Hospitality has also been a strong growth area as we continue to respond to industry’s call to prepare staff for opportunities in that field.”
Ms Young commended the two women from the remote bush community of Alparra who made the 500 km round trip to receive their certificates.
She thanked the lecturers and support staff for their efforts and the organisations that have partnered with CDU this year.
“Most of all, this celebration is about the students,” she said.
“This is the fifth year we have celebrated in this way. It is significant for the students, their families, for CDU and for the community as a whole.
“I would also like to congratulate our musicians, The Tableland Drifters, who not only have completed the requirements for a Certificate III in Music, but whose talent and determination are precursors for what I’m sure will be a glittering career.”
Ms Young said CDU was set to congratulate another 19 successful students when the current Certificate II in Resource Infrastructure draws to an end later this year.
“There has been great interest in this course with the ongoing demand to equip locals with employability skills for the mining industry such as at Bootu Creek (manganese) mine.
“This will be the fifth time we’ve delivered the eight-week pre-mining course.”
“We are also working with students at Barkly College and the Barkly Work Camp so business is booming,” she said.