SM TAFE and iyarn: Enhancing Pathway Programs with Culturally Appropriate Wellbeing Tools
South Metropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE) partnered with iyarn to support the Maintenance Support Technician (MST) Program, delivered in collaboration with BHP. This initiative is designed to prepare Indigenous and female participants for maintenance roles within Western Australia’s resources industry. The program combines targeted training with real-world experience, equipping participants with the skills needed for employment opportunities with BHP.
Over a 16-week implementation of iyarn, participants engaged in regular check ins to track their sentiment and progress. The culturally appropriate platform created a secure space for students to reflect on their experiences and navigate challenges while providing program leaders with actionable insights to adapt their support strategies.
Empowering Students Through Connection and Self-Reflection
Feedback from participants demonstrated the value of iyarn in promoting engagement and wellbeing.
As Suzy Kitson, SM TAFE’s Business Development Manager, noted:
“The feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with iyarn fostering resilience, self-awareness, and meaningful connections throughout the program.”
By offering regular opportunities for self-reflection and dialogue, iyarn helped participants build stronger connections with peers and mentors, contributing to an environment of trust and mutual support.
Building on Success: Opportunities for Expansion
The success of iyarn during the MST program has opened the door to discussions about how the platform could be applied more broadly within SM TAFE’s operations. Initial conversations have explored the potential for integrating iyarn into additional pathway programs and using it for regular student and staff check-ins.
- Monitor Aboriginal Success Indicators: iyarn’s culturally appropriate sentiment tracking could play a valuable role in improving how SM TAFE is able to monitor and track Aboriginal student success indicators, supporting more tailored interventions for Aboriginal students where needed.
- Co-Design Training and Support: Gathering and interpreting student feedback through iyarn could inform the development of training and support systems that are more responsive to the diverse needs of SM TAFE’s student body.
A Partnership for Holistic Support
As SM TAFE continues to deliver transformative education and training, the partnership with iyarn underscores their commitment to student wellbeing and success.
