Indigenous training has new home

An indigenous training organisation, described by employees as “life-changing”, celebrated its grand opening on Friday.

The brainchild of Chris Stacey and Rodney Monaghan, Indigenous Training Australia (ITA) provides employment opportunities, mentoring and social help for indigenous people in Hedland.

The two-man operation has grown quickly from Mr Stacey’s home and now has more than 50 indigenous people on its books at its Hunt Street Base in South Hedland.

“We noticed that indigenous people that needed help both off and on site.

"We source local people who are unemployed, we put them through a training package, assist with transportation and food at work and support structures,” Mr Stacey said.

“Indigenous people have always had a bad name for work-related issues, but we help to sort their social problems and get them jobs,” Mr Monaghan said.

“A lot of people working for ITA were in the hole.

"They were longtime drinkers and drug-users, but we’ve put a spanner in the works and stopped the cycle.

"Their work ethic is important, as it will also be passed on to children as well.”

Saika Bero and Wama Ware are just two local indigenous people whose circumstances have been dramatically changed by ITA.

“ITA has brought me up from nowhere and is helping to make me something and achieve my goals,” Mr Bero said.

“I was on a downer and really struggling before ITA. They got us off the streets, stopped drinking and kept us out of trouble.

"I’ve got a lot of satisfaction and more tickets than I know what to do with.

“Rodney and Chris are helping all of us indigenous boys out there in Hedland to give us opportunities that weren’t there before.

"We’re all really grateful.”

Mr Ware said ITA enabled him to help provide for his family and had helped change his life.