Employment, education, Training & CDEP

Cape York Employment / Cape York Partnerships

Sonia led the team at Cape York Employment delivering CDEP/CDP/RAES to Aurukun, Coen and Lockart River from 2014 to 2025. Sonia continues to provide services to existing and new providers including governance, policy, program development and implementation.

Contracts with:

FACHSIA (Fed Gov) 

DEEDI (Qld)

Torres Strait Island Regional Council

Cape York Employment / Cape York Partnerships

Led a range of initiatives, tenders, planning and development reviews:

• Torres Strait CDEP Jobs Program Audit & Review (DEEDI/FACHSIA)
• Joint CDP Tender development and submission with Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Torres Shire Council and Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council
• Cape York Employment (CDP) Engagement Strategy and Hub
• Cape York Leaders Program - ACTIVE-8 - 2021

We had established the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Natural Partners Australia Pty Ltd in 2003 to deliver training to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and individuals. Our scope included:

• Certificate III and IV in Business (Governance)
• Certificate II and III in Rural Operations (Indigenous Land & Sea Management)

For a period of two years, Michael took on the role as inaugural Economic Development Manager with Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council. This included management of a number enterprises, establishing new enterprises and managing the existing Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) that had more than 500 active participants. The management of CDEP included 

We delivered a 54 Million Vatu contract for educational supplies for the Vanuatu Ministry of Education in 2008 for primary schools throughout the entire country.