Environment and Conservation Minister Paul Caica, who attended the ceremony, said the graduates have unlocked a range of employment opportunities in conservation and land management.

“The skills learnt and developed through this course will support Ngarrindjeri in securing employment and playing a greater role in caring for their traditional land and waters,’’ he said.

The graduates have been trained in nursery management, plant propagation, seed collection, pest and weed control, planting, fencing, business documentation, senior first aid and occupational health and safety in the workplace.

Mr Caica said the qualification allows the graduates to pursue careers in conservation and land management where they can work in many positions including as a community field officer, project officer, conservation earthworks operator, wildlife and parks field officer, field operator and pest or weeds management officers.

“The conservation and land management skills developed by the graduates will also support the growth of Ngarrindjeri Ruwe Contracting, an Ngarrindjeri community company that contracts land management services in the region,’’ he said.

“The 12 graduates have also used their new skills to help deliver the $10 million Lower Lakes Bioremediation and Revegetation Project as well as other revegetation projects in the Coorong and Lower Lakes region.

“They have also worked on Ngarrindjeri owned properties in the region including Hack’s Point on the Coorong, Warrangie Farm on Lake Albert, Camp Coorong and at Long Point.”

The course was funded by two separate Federal Government programs, the Lower Lakes Bioremediation and Revegetation Project, and the Working on Country program, through the Caring for our Country initiative.

The State Government has been working closely with the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority to implement the Australian Government projects.