Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation

Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation Ltd.

established August 2003, is a government funded not-for-profit organization with a primary objective of providing Indigenous communities within its ambit of responsibility relevant and effective services with best practice.

The corporation has five primary objectives (driven by its constitution). These include:
• Development and implementation of effective employment strategies
• Enterprise projects and business development and associated consultancy services
• Delivery of accredited training
• Development and implementation of community programs and services
• Provision of CDEP and similar services

The Murdi Paaki Region comprises the whole of Western NSW, from the Victoria to Queensland borders. Many communities are critically disadvantaged by remoteness. There are16 communities: Gulargambone, Coonamble, Collarenebri, Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Goodooga, Brewarrina, Bourke, Weilmoringle, Enngonia, Cobar, Ivanhoe, Wilcannia, Menindee, Broken Hill and Dareton / Wentworth.

The MPREC Central Office is located at Dubbo, with the Training Centre at Coonamble.

Management and support is represented throughout the region by Divisional Management, Field Management and support staff.

Currently MPREC delivers the Community Development and Employment Program in several communities, as well as Job Services Australia employment strategies with three major area offices – Bourke, Broken Hill and Walgett

MPREC primarily delivers a range of programs and services to the Murdi Paaki region however we are not limited to this region alone. For example, MPREC auspices the Western Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service (WATAAS) servicing a region from Lithgow to Broken Hill including the townships of Mudgee and Parkes.

There are four key service delivery (divisional) components of MPREC: Operations Unit (including CDEP, employment, and community services), Business Unit (including enterprise development, consultancy and media), Training Unit (including a Registered Training Organisation - RTO), and a subsidiary Building and Construction company.

 
Training Unit
 

The Training Unit, with its headquarters at the corporation’s recently established training complex at Coonamble, focuses on delivery of all facets of training requirement throughout the region.

The Training complex operates a Registered Training Organisation (Australian Integrated Training – an RTO) to meet the requirements for VETAB accredited training to certificate level for people living in communities throughout the Murdi Paaki Region.

The objective is easy access to accreditation of effective and relevant skills to increase employment capacity and opportunities for all participants.
Accredited training is the lynchpin for successful capacity development.

The major stumbling block has been delivery. The corporation’s RTO initiative will overcome these obstacles ‘evening out the playing field’.

The Training Unit also works in conjunction with other training providers to facilitate courses in communities.
The Training Unit is also responsible for across-the board training in essential components including OHS, White Card, 1st Aid, and Driver Licences. All applicants participate in a skills analysis, and a customised training plan is developed to meet their needs.