Course proves pivotal as Douglas Shire students gain Port Douglas, Mossman job offers following NITA graduation

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Douglas Shire NITA students Yavaleagh Paii, Aaliyah Nandy and Lindsay Callope graduated from the NITA program just days ago. Picture: Submitted

A new contingent of Douglas Shire Indigenous hospitality stars have been snapped up by a range of local tourism businesses after completing the National Indigenous Training Academy’s (NITA) program.

This year’s NITA graduation celebrations took place at Hughie’s in Mossman just days ago with Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre GM Rachael Hodges, Kuku Yalanji elder Roy Gibson, and MGCC trainees, graduates and their families all attending. 

Graduates each completed a nationally accredited Certificate III in Hospitality, which included work placements at luxury resorts in Port Douglas and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre. 

Many graduates have gone on to receive job offers from their placement companies, including Aaliyah Nandy at MGCC, Yavaleagh Paii at Ramada Resort, and Lindsay Callope at Niramya Villas and Spa, Port Douglas. 

“I would like to congratulate the graduates for completing their traineeship with NITA,” Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said.

“Over the years, the program has provided a springboard for young Indigenous people to find jobs in tourism and hospitality and I am sure this will also be the case for the latest round of graduates.

“Regardless of whether they find work at a Port Douglas resort or with a tourism operator elsewhere, Council will always be proud their employment journey began with NITA at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre.” 

NITA provides young Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders the opportunity to live, learn and earn in a real work environment while achieving market-leading hospitality and tourism qualifications at Mossman Gorge and Ayers Rock Resort sites. 

Mossman Gorge’s Indigenous employment figures are now among the highest in the industry, at over 60%, with many NITA graduates among its staff.

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