News

MDAS study centre opens

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 06:50:00

A study centre has been opened to support the professional development of staff at the Mallee District Aboriginal Services in Mildura.

The centre provides a quiet space for study for MDAS staff who are undertaking courses or professional development programs.
“Currently, about a third of the staff in our organisation are enrolled in accredited training such as degree, diploma and certificate courses to further develop their skill base,” said MDAS CEO Rudolph Kirby.
“We think that’s a credit to those staff and a really positive sign for the future.  We’re hoping our study centre will support them in completing their courses and getting the most out of their studies, as well as encouraging even more staff to take another step in their careers,” he said.
Mr Kirby said one of MDAS’s key aims was to have more Koori people in senior positions within health, family services and administrative positions within the organisation and in the wider community.
“We know one of the best ways to bring that about is to provide opportunities for people to up-skill, and to build on the qualifications, skills and experience they already have.”
MDAS Manager of People and Culture Debbie Fankhauser said initiatives like the study centre supported the ongoing development of the MDAS workforce.
“More than half of MDAS’s current staff are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, which we are really proud of – but one of our priorities is to also have a higher percentage of Indigenous staff at higher levels within the organisation,” she said.
“Upskilling our current workforce is one of the most effective ways to do that and we know that providing real and practical support for staff who want to undertake further study is an important part of that process.”