A nationally accredited Certificate IV in Aboriginal Design (CUV40303, TAFE NSW Course 19233) course has been established through a partnership between Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance and the North Coast Institute of TAFE.  Courses commenced in February 2010 in Great Lakes and Lismore.

The courses are targeting those art groups previously functioning under CDEP and are training participants in specific areas of graphic design, fashion design, interior design and industrial design. It is intended that the courses will be linked to higher-level degrees through partnerships with participating universities delivering design training.

12 of the best students from the 2010 courses have just returned from a study tour in Vietnam where they studied manufacturing processes.