PKUC partnered with Rio Tinto and Trainwest to create a locally delivered model of the 52880WA Certificate IV in Leadership and Mentoring for Indigenous employees and community members in the Pilbara. Previously, the qualification was only available to people who could travel to Perth for blocks of study, creating workplace, family and practical barriers to participation. Delivering the course face-to-face in Karratha, with workshops and ongoing support from PKUC and Trainwest, created a local opportunity for Aboriginal people to build leadership capability close to home.

Across three cohorts, 49 students participated, with 13 completing the qualification to date and others continuing their studies. For many, Certificate IV study was new and challenging, reinforcing the importance of a culturally safe learning environment, explicit workplace support, strong personal and professional networks, and delivery contextualised for the Pilbara, for participants’ workplaces and for their roles.

Feedback highlighted the value of a classroom where students felt heard and respected, and where learning extended beyond the qualification itself. For some, participation also meant becoming the first in their family to undertake tertiary study. This program demonstrates how locally delivered, culturally responsive learning can create meaningful First Nations leadership opportunities that are community-informed, locally relevant and accessible to those who might otherwise miss out.

Winner 2026 Category: Recognising excellence in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander RRR education