Palm Island Digital Service Centre takes out silver at 2024 Training Awards

A culturally safe training and employment centre on Palm Island is celebrating after taking out silver at a national training awards night.  

Yvette Nicholas

A culturally safe training and employment centre is celebrating after winning an award at a national training awards night.

The community owned and operated Palm Island Digital Service Centre was given the honour at the 2024 Australian Training Awards, awarded silver in the Industry Collaboration Award category.

The centre, which only opened in December last year, prepares residents with training for roles at Telstra and is a collaboration between the telco and TAFE Queensland.

Participants work in the company’s Digital Service Centre, which includes doing tasks such as engaging with clients, answering calls and handling digital services.

The program starts with a twelve-week training course and then culminates in on-the-job learning where participants gain a Certificate III in Business.

Program graduate and now Operations Manager at the Palm Island Digital Service Juelisa Geia said the opportunity is giving something back to the community.

Program graduates Frances Doyle, Yvette Nicholas, Sunshine Smith and Perry Thompson

“This is an investment that will create a lasting legacy for generations to come. It means we no longer have to leave Palm Island to access meaningful career options. We can live, learn and succeed on Country,” she said.

TAFE Queensland North region Director of Education Delivery Jane McKellar said the program shows how collaboration can empower communities.

“By working hand-in-hand with students, the community and industry we are creating sustainable, long-term outcomes. The replicability of this model proves its potential to support other remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the state,” she said.

The Palm Island Digital Service Centre follows successful hubs in Cherbourg, Jumbun and Yarrabah.

Originally published as Palm Island Digital Service Centre takes out silver at 2024 Training Awards