TAFE Western has become the first Institute in NSW to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

This was initiated as part of TAFE Western's commitment to assist Aboriginal communities to gain vocational education and training.

The plan includes five key objectives. These are to improve; access to education and training for Aboriginal peoples, literacy and numeracy of Aboriginal students, education and employment outcomes of Aboriginal students, completion of qualifications by Aboriginal students and careers of Aboriginal staff.

TAFE Western Institute director Kate Baxter said the launch, coinciding with National Reconciliation Week, was a significant milestone for the organisation as it continued its commitment to improving educational and employment opportunities for Aboriginal students.

"TAFE Western is very proud to be the first TAFE NSW Institute to get a Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan approved by Reconciliation Australia," she said. "This means we have identified specific targets and actions that we must reach to achieve our RAP goals. These goals have been identified through consultation with Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal TAFE Western staff and representatives of the Aboriginal peoples who live and work in our footprint. Reconciliation Australia endorsed this document, acknowledging that TAFE Western is a pioneer when it comes to strategies and ideas for the betterment of Aboriginal students in Western NSW."Minister John Barilaro delivered a keynote address at the launch. "This is an historic plan which commits to improving educational and employment opportunities for Aboriginal students and is a significant milestone for TAFE and for Aboriginal people," he said.