Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Limited (KAMS) in a consortia with Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd (Tranby) has been selected as the successful host of the Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence (ICOVE) and recipient of the ICOVE Grant.
KAMS is a member-based, regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service and an Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisation (ACCRTO).
Established in 1957, Tranby is Australia’s oldest independent First Nations education and training provider and an Aboriginal Community Controlled Registered Training Organisation with national reach.
The Grant provides up to $24 million over 4 years (2025-2026 to 2028-2029) to establish the ICOVE as an alternate model to a First Nations vocational education and training (VET) peak, representing communities at a national level.
The ICOVE will:
- partner with governments in forming and supporting the nationally networked VET Policy Partnership
- provide joint secretariat support alongside the Commonwealth
- lead research, pilots, and initiatives on national First Nations VET matters
- strengthen the capability of Aboriginal Community Controlled and First Nations led RTOs
- support culturally responsive training aligned with employment and workforce needs.
Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence
Following extensive engagement undertaken by the Coalition of Peaks with the sector, Clause A99(b) of the National Skills Agreement is being realised through the establishment of the ICOVE.
The ICOVE will operate as an alternative model to a First Nations skills peak and will function as a national, evidence informed best practice VET hub that promotes high quality, culturally responsive training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, with strong pathways to employment outcomes.
The ICOVE host will deliver activities across 4 core pillars: innovation, capacity building, policy and advocacy and research and data.
Visit the Indigenous Centre of Vocational Excellence page for more information.