27 August 2003

Centralian College press release

Centralian College and national tourism company Adventure Tours Australia (ATA) today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and entered into a strategic alliance for the provision of certification for ATA’s 200 tour guides across Australia.

Adventure Tours Australia Training Manager, Andrew Hall said, “There has been an Australia-wide drive for the industry to provide certified guides. International tour companies require certain benchmarks to be reached.”

Under the arrangement ATA provides in-house training to the guides, who Centralian College will certify with a Certificate IV in Tourism. This qualification recognises the workplace assessment of their skills.

Centralian College Tourism Lecturer Anne Channing said, “Centralian College is happy to be associated with this exciting development and ATA is to be congratulated in undertaking the certification program for its guides.”

“The certificate is recognised throughout Australia and acknowledges the many skills, wide experience and broad knowledge that is accumulated by guides in their day-to day work.”

Adventure Tours Australia is an award winning company specialising in active, small group safaris for the adventurous traveller. They offer an extensive range of tours throughout the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Northern Queensland. ATA’s tours offer nature-based tours with the emphasis on the unique scenery, wildlife, European history and Aboriginal culture of each area.

Initially, the focus of ATA staff developments will include assessment expectations and quality outcomes with attention to possible future areas of cooperation and expansion.

The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation coincides with Ms McGrath’s appointment as the Head of School of Tourism and Hospitality in the new Charles Darwin University structure.

She will take over management responsibility for Tourism and Hospitality offerings on both the Alice Springs and Palmerston campuses as well as any other training opportunities that arise in the industry area.

Editors note: Andrew Hall, Morag McGrath and Anne Channing are available for interviews and photos upon request. Further information can be obtained by contacting Anne Channing, Tourism Lecturer, Centralian College on (08) 8959 5434, or Andrew Hall, Training Manager, Adventure Tours Australia on (08) 8953 2102.