Yarrabah Digital Service Centre empowering a digital future

By PETER ROWE

Sixteen graduates have stepped into new digital roles at the recently opened Yarrabah Digital Service Centre in Queensland marking a key milestone in the State’s push for greater digital inclusion.

Minister for Customer Services and Open Data Steven Minnikin said the graduates would be provided with 8-12 weeks of paid pre-employment training, laying the foundations for employment in digital roles.

“The Government is committed to improving opportunities for First Nations communities to take advantage of future opportunities as part of the digital economy,” Mr Minnikin said.

“I’ve been so pleased to be able to visit Yarrabah to welcome the new graduates and see their new skills in action.”

The Yarrabah Digital Service Centre is part of a Queensland Government initiative, delivered in partnership with Wugu Nyambil, TAFE Queensland, HRS, and DB Results, that seeks to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by expanding opportunities for involvement in the digital economy.

Yarrabah, located 60km southeast of Cairns on the traditional lands of the Gunggandji and Yidinji people, is Queensland’s largest discrete Aboriginal community.

It is now home to the fourth digital service hub of its kind in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, following the successes of similar hubs in Cherbourg, Jumbun, and Palm Island.

“The Yarrabah Digital Service Centre is not only creating local jobs, it’s also tapping into the community’s potential, preparing students for the careers of tomorrow,” Member for Mulgrave Terry James said.

“The impact of the community-owned and operated YDSC is clear to see with the new graduates including three generations of the one family, highlighting its success in creating opportunities spanning multiple generations in the Yarrabah community.