The Burawa Team travels to Far North Queensland to deliver career advice and non-accredited education to Mob. 

In November 2022, Burawa National Indigenous Career Centre had the opportunity to deliver our non-accredited online courses in person across several locations including Charters Towers and Townsville.  

It was a successful trip for all involved and highlighted the importance of providing culturally empowering career advice to Community, giving them the confidence and skills to move up towards their dreams. As one Charters Towers participant, Kearne said,  

“Before the Burawa training, my resume was poor and I was not prepared for career entry, I now have a deadly resume and feel prepared to enter the workforce…bring it on” 

The Burawa Team, Rebecca, our Careers Advisor; Jordan, our Student Support Officer and Emma, our Project Director flew to Townsville to meet with Aunty Bernice and commence delivery of the pre-selected modules. Aunty Bernice Hookey, Burawa’s cultural mentor, arranged some meaningful connections in far North Queensland, and as a result, participants from various community groups were able to access careers advice and support. 

The team took a mobile classroom with them, consisting of laptops, IT equipment and learning support materials, to ensure mob had all the tools required to engage and take the next steps on their career journeys.  

Our first stop was Townsville where the team attended a Women in Business allyship event hosted by Aunty Bernice. At this event, business owners from Townsville and surrounding areas heard Aunty Bernice speak on the importance of allyship when striving for positive outcomes for Aboriginal women and girls, as outlined in the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (women’s voices) Report 2020. 

Burawa delivered workshops to three community groups; Jenaga Operations (Charters Towers); On Common County / Civil Safety (Townsville); and Palm Island Community Company (Townsville). During these workshops, participants received invaluable information and guidance on the different aspects required to successfully develop a resume, write a cover letter and effectively participate in an interview. We used a variety of teaching materials and styles guided by the 8 Aboriginal ways of learning framework (Yunkaporta, Tyson 2009) 

Feedback received from participants has been extremely positive. On Common Country participant, Amberose stated, “After completing my training with Burawa I have a deadly resume, a deadly cover letter and improved interview skills which has made me feel more prepared to enter the workforce”. 

Several participants achieved the outcome of applying for a job on the day they attended the workshop, with On Common Country participant, Joseph stating “you guys have been awesome, I have been looking for help just like this and have not been able to find it…thank you all”. 

Being afforded the opportunity to deliver careers advice and support to our Mob ‘our way’ was an extremely humbling opportunity for the Burawa Team, shrouded in success, shared learning, cultural growth, healing and connection.