Yaama Dhiyaan Hospitality Training Centre celebrates third anniversary by passing the 100 graduate mark

The day’s graduation marked the third anniversary for Yaama Dhiyaan since opening its doors in October 2006.

There is also reason for more celebration with the Centre now having more than 100 graduates complete the Hospitality course.

Of the 106 graduates who have now completed the nine week hospitality training course with Yaama Dhiyaan, 66% have gained employment or moved on to further education.

Chantelle Kemble is one person who benefited from the training course. After completing the course she secured a job as a barista in the city.

Thanks to her commitment, and the dedication of staff at Yaama Dhiyaan, not only has Chantelle secured a job as a barista, she has become far more confident.

Aboriginal Elder Aunty Beryl Van Oploo has taught at Yaama Dhiyaan since the beginning. “My dream to be able to provide Aboriginal people with skills to work in hospitality has now become a wonderful reality,” she said.

Redfern-Waterloo Authority CEO Roy Wakelin-King said the RWA-funded Yaama Dhiyaan Centre has become a cornerstone training centre in the Redfern-Waterloo community.

“This course along with the Koori Job Ready Course empowers graduates to make decisions about what they want to do with their lives,” he said.

“It’s about giving young and older Indigenous people the skills and the opportunity to build themselves a positive and fulfilling future.”

Source: www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au/other/media_releases/2009_oct_06_yaama_final_with_picture.pdf