Empowerment through Education. 

This is the ultimate goal of Indigenous Registered Training Organisation, Westbourne College. 

Owner and Yuggera man, Beaudie Cullen says his business is all about empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and providing courses that have a strong cultural focus. 

“At Westbourne College we want to get Indigenous learners at a higher level of Cert 4 and Diploma. Our mission includes educating Indigenous community to be decision makers in the workplace. Entry level is great however, we want our people to be well educated and become team leaders, management and business owners.”

“It is important to have Aboriginal owned accredited training like Westbourne College, to provide contextualised training material that mob understands and can relate with. We have Indigenous trainers that understand the requirement of our people. We have Indigenous mentors and training guides to assist with Indigenous learners.”

After working in the NSW Police force for 17 years, Beaudie made a big decision to start a business by purchasing Westbourne College and turning it into an educational institute that makes a difference.  

“The idea was to provide educational outcomes for Indigenous Communities and provide services to large business. I am very passionate about providing this network of support for Indigenous people throughout NSW, and ultimately Australia.”

The college provides a variety of Nationally recognised training courses in a number of areas, including risk management, work health & safety, business, project management, leadership and management. 

So far, the college has been successful in securing funding and taking its courses beyond the city.  

“Westbourne College has been successful in obtaining smart and skilled funding, which has enabled us to provide community with quality training. We have partnered with REDI.E in great western NSW and delivered cert 4 training in Dubbo, Cobar & Bourke. 

We have many businesses that have partnered with us including Google, Sydney Opera house and we have recently been onboarded with the Department of Defence to provide Work Health & Safety cert 4’s to their staff.”

With the support of Yarpa Indigenous Business & Employment hub, Westbourne College has been able to grow and connect with Government organisations. 

Beaudie said, “It has been tough getting our branding out there and getting started with Government, however the courses that have been made available through YARPA this has closed the gap in obtaining Government contracts.” 

The goals for Westbourne College are big, but the message is simple. 

“Our vision is to be the first-choice provider of educational and training programs for business leaders across Australia.”

Head to www.westbournecollege.edu.au to find out more or call 1300 994 558.