Njamal people study for security licences

Aboriginal community members have been working hard over the last week to gain qualifications thanks to Njamal People’s Trust.

Njamal community members have been travelling to the Bloodwood Tree Association in Port Hedland every morning over the last week to qualify for security operations certificates.

Strike Training and Consulting managing director Gaven Wicks was approached by the trust to help with training members of the Njamal community so they can be placed in jobs across the Pilbara.

Mr Wicks said the group was one of the best he had ever trained.

“Everyone there wants to learn, they’re very involved,” he said.

“We probably push them a lot harder than other training groups as we are all ex-police officers and armed forces, but it really shows in the end, they’re really focused and are showing great results so far.”

Njamal community member Michael Taylor said he approached Mr Wicks and his team in the hopes of helping others improve their skills for the workforce.

“It’s good to get the skills for the Aboriginal people, to learn about security and it would be good for all of us to see what we can get out of it and better ourselves for working,” he said. “I’m here to help with the understanding of law with security and so far it’s been good.”

The trust said its aim for the training course was to train community members up to be able to work in security for surrounding mines and prisons.

Participants may then take part in St John Ambulance first-aid training, WA Police testing and, if successful, apply for a security work licence.