Training

I am pleased to provide this letter of recommendation for Yalagan Registered Training (RTO ID: 91627), commonly known as YRT. As a leading Indigenous-led Registered Training Organisation, YRT consistently delivers high-quality education and training with a strong commitment to excellence.

Since 2023, Aquinas College has proudly partnered with YRT to offer training programs in Construction, Civil Rail, White Card Training, and High-Risk Licenses. Their blended approach, which combines remote and face-to-face delivery, ensures accessibility for a diverse range of learners.

In addition to technical training, YRT provides culturally relevant and cost-effective education that is crucial for long-term employment and career success. Its tailored programs closely align with the needs of Aquinas College students, equipping them with valuable skills and significantly enhancing their career prospects. YRT's dedication to fostering self-worth, professional growth, and tangible employment outcomes is evident in the success of its graduates.

The impact of this partnership has been profound, empowering students with industry-recognised qualifications and career pathways that may not have otherwise been accessible. Through YRT's expertise and commitment, our students gain both technical competency and the confidence to excel in their chosen fields.

Aquinas College whole heartedly supports YRT and recognises its invaluable contribution to vocational education and training. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration and witnessing the continued success of our students through YRT's exceptional training programs.

During 2023 and 2024, Yalagan Group delivered career taster activities for Central Regional TAFE (CRT) as part of five regional road shows in the Wheatbelt, Midwest and Gascoyne regions. Paul Bennett (WA Manager YRT) facilitated four of these, travelling to remote locations in CRT's footprint, as far as Exmouth, Meekatharra, Bruce Rock and Wongan Hills and servicing around 20 high schools.

Paul travelled to these regions with the Yalagan Mobile Training Trailer and delivered career tasters focusing on entry and career pathways into the Building, Civil Construction, Mining and Railway industries. The sessions included an informational component with overviews of the various industries and training pathways therein. The practical activities entailed students completing an industry job hazard analysis prior to setting up an exclusion zone around the Mobile Training Trailer and taking part in working in confined spaces and working at heights simulations, following industry standard safety procedures on the built-for-purpose trailer. I was acting in the position of Coordinator Year Nine Career Taster Program at the time and attended a number of the career tasters delivered by Paul in Geraldton, which were all very well received and requested by schools to be repeated in future.

Feedback received from schools supports Paul's ability to relate well to young people, encourage students to participate in activities and involve difficult to engage participants in his career tasters. Paul is an experienced trainer who can read his audience well and adjust his presentation style accordingly. He has a lot of experience working with students from priority cohorts as outlined in the tender specifications and has demonstrated the ability to put in place strategies to increase engagement and create an inclusive environment for his participants.

Yalagan Group have been very responsive to requests and communication relating to designing suitable delivery itineraries and strategies, and administrative requests such as preparing quotes and issuing invoices.

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Yalagan Group and Paul on the implementation of the Career Taster Program and I have no hesitation in recommending them for the above tenders.

I am writing to share my experience with Yalagan Registered Training's Construction Career Program, which I attended last year. This program was a life-changing opportunity for me, giving me hands-on experience in the civil construction industry and opening doors to a career I had never considered before.

Before attending the program, I wasn't sure what career path I wanted to take. I had an interest in working with my hands and being outdoors, but I didn't know much about construction beyond what I had seen in passing. The YRT program gave me a real taste of the industry, allowing me to learn about different construction roles, try out practical skills like using tools and equipment, and hear from professionals who shared their experiences in the field.

One of the things I loved most about the program was how engaging and hands-on it was. We didn't just sit in a classroom and listen-we got to experience real-world construction tasks, understand how projects are managed, and even practice skills under expert supervision. It was exciting to see what a day on-site actually looks like and to know that these skills could turn into a real career.

After completing the program, I was inspired to pursue a full qualification in Civil Construction, and I am now enrolled in a Certificate Ill in Civil Construction. I feel confident in my decision because YRT helped me understand what to expect from the industry, and I now know that I enjoy this type of work. I also feel better prepared for my training because of the foundation YRT gave me.

I highly recommend this program to anyone who is curious about construction or looking for a career that is practical, hands-on, and full of opportunities. YRT not only gave me skills but also the confidence and direction to take.

Without the ongoing support provided by Yalagan Registered Training I feel like I would not have completed the program. I have been taught skills that I can not only demonstrate at my work but in my day-to-day life, and I am so grateful for that.