Information about the programs we offer can be found on the Training Courses page.

You can find out more information on the Contacts page.

Information for clients can be found on the Clients page.

About the training offered by CAT  

People in Australia sometimes talk about the importance of 'bush skills'. To us at CAT, these are fundamental to people being able to live successfully in remote communities.

The approach that CAT takes is to ensure that training takes into account the aspirations and demands upon Indigenous learners as they develop their skills for a particular reason. Over 1000 learners have studied at CAT. They have sought to build their practical knowledge and confidence in technical subjects, whether to prepare them for vocational learning or to contribute to the immediate needs of their community.

As CAT has developed, so its understanding of technology became more sophisticated. Appropriate technology is the range of skills, techniques and knowledge that come together to meet a particular social, economic, environmental or cultural need. These needs are not met by technology alone.  Achieving a reliable and sustainable system takes much more than the hardware. Users need to be confident maintainers of the equipment and they need to know where to go for technical support.

So, looking beyond hardware to consider people's aspirations, CAT became involved in training programs for people from the communities in Central Australia covering vocational skills in carpentry, metal-working, welding, concrete-laying and automotive maintenance. Trainees who come to CAT are achieving qualifications in their chosen field.

CAT is a Registered Training Organisation with Certificate courses available in Automotive, Applied Design and Technology, Civil Construction, Outdoor Power Equipment, Information Technology, Remote Area Power Supply and Training and Assessment. Other non-accredited training can be negotiated dependent on needs of communities.

Specific projects may require a customized programme consisting of some Units of Competency from several Training Packages. In this case, learners will be recognised with a Statement of Attainment for the Units in which they have been assessed as competent.

The Technical Skills Group monitors development in training needs and opportunities and has partnerships with Government and non-Government agencies to find training solutions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and people. We have partnerships with employment agencies, Aboriginal organisations and Councils, Shires, Central Land Council, remote area Community Councils, CDEP providers, schools and youth services.