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Seventeen men and women graduated from the Royal Australian Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP), celebrating with family and friends at Munro Martin Parklands, Cairns.
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The NIDP was launched in 2014 to increase Indigenous workforce participation as part of the national Closing the Gap strategy and many graduates have gone on to succeed in the Navy.
According to Darren Chester, Minister for Defence Personnel, this was the culmination of five months of hard work for the graduates and would be a proud day for them and their families.
“This is a program that provides recruits an excellent introduction to naval life, with an opportunity to pursue that career path,” Minister Chester said.
“Importantly, it develops skills and training that will serve those who participate in the program for the rest of their lives.
“The NIDP and other pathway programs are important initiatives and it's great to see the graduates take part in a public ceremony in the community for the first time."
The NIDP currently runs two courses per year from Cairns. The second will commence in July this year.
“I congratulate the 17 men and women who have completed this program and wish them all the best for their future in the Royal Australian Navy,” Minister Chester added.
[Related: Defence committed to closing the Indigenous participation gap]
