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emote areas are substantially less likely to participate in higher education thanIndigenous people in major cities. In 2004-05, the proportion of Indigenous peoplecurrently participating in post secondary education in major cities was 14.8 per centcompared with 7.3 per cent in remote areas (table 3A.4.4).Although Indigenous people are less likely to participate in post secondaryeducation compared to non-Indigenous people, several programs have beensuccessful in preparing Indigenous students for post secondary education(box 3.4.2).Box 3.4.2‘Things that work’ — increasing post secondary educationattainmentConstruction skills and work readiness training, Robinvale, VictoriaThe Australian Master Bricklayers Association (AMBA) and the Victorian Department ofEducation worked in partnership to provide construction skills and work readinesstraining to unemployed Indigenous people living in Robinvale.Fifteen people began the eight week course in 2006 and 8 completed the course andwere awarded either a Certificate I in General Construction or statements ofattainment. Four participants gained full-time employment since completing the course.Course participants demonstrated high-level skills and aptitude and, with the rightmotivation and support, are moving into successful careers in a range of trades in thebuilding and construction industry.Vocational training for prisoners in QueenslandA training culture is emerging in many prisons and there have been positive results forIndigenous prisoners. In Queensland, being involved in a vocational educationprogram before initial release is associated with a 30 per cent decrease in the chanceof offenders returning to custody (O’Callaghan 2005; Callan and Gardner 2005).Construction skills for Indigenous people in NSWThe 2005 Report included an example of a program specifically designed forunemployed Indigenous people interested in working in the building and constructionindustry. The program was developed in partnership between the ConstructionForestry Mining and Energy Union and TAFE NSW and has been operating since2004. Run over six to eight weeks, the program leads to relevant licences and tickets inthe industry. In 2006 two programs were delivered. These programs had a retentionrate of around 80 per cent and approximately 40 per cent of program participants wereemployed in the construction industry.Although participation itself may have some benefits, the major impact onimproved outcomes for Indigenous people results from attainment of a qualificationor completion of a course of study. This indicator uses survey data to examine the32 OVERCOMINGINDIGENOUSDISADVANTAGE 2007