Five young Indigenous Australians have completed their traineeships with the National Indigenous Training Academy at Mossman Gorge, graduating with qualifications in hospitality and tourism.

This year's graduating class includes Mundarra Talbot, Patricia McLean, Rachelle Minniecon, Nyoakah Davidson and Stuart Rosser (absent).

Graduates were awarded Certificates III in Hospitality or Tourism at a ceremony held at Thala Lodge Nature Reserve.

Patricia McLean, a proud Gugu Yalanji woman from Mossman, said the traineeship gave her a clear purpose.

"The experience was, it was a journey, but it did go very quick," Ms McLean said.

"So if you put your head down and you just do the work, it will just fly.

"And if you think about being a positive role model for the future generation, paving that path...that's what really drives you."

Delivered in partnership with Careers Training Centre, the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) program combines accredited training with paid, on-site work placements.

Graduates trained at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre (MGCC) and with local operators such as Back Country Bliss, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort and Wildlife Habitat.

Rachelle Minnicon, a Goreng Goreng woman from Innisfail, said the experience helped her grow.

"Overall, it was good. It was a good experience to get out and acknowledge the land or new people around me," Ms Minnicon said.

"The meaning of this – was to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people.

"It was a journey that I wanted to do from the start. I wanted to get myself out of the shyness."

The event was attended by Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, MGCC General Manager Rachael Hodges and families of the graduates.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia CEO Matt Cameron-Smith acknowledged the broader impact of the program.

"We're here today to celebrate a real milestone - 100 graduates that have passed through the doors of Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre as part of the National Indigenous Training Academy," Mr Cameron-Smith said.

"It's such an important program, it's really incubating First Nations talent right across our industry and we think that these young people are just going to change the whole face of our industry.

"We're training young people to be accredited guides on their own country and that's such an important way of sharing culture and keeping culture strong."

Ms Minniecon said completing the traineeship was a major personal achievement.

"This traineeship was probably the best thing that's pretty much has happened to me," she said.

"This is my biggest achievement yet."

Ms McLean added the program also provided guidance during difficult moments.

"So even if you do go down the wrong path, they do find ways to get you back on the right path," she said.

"The traineeship is there to help you make the decision within yourself to become better for your people and the future generation basically.

"We are the future leaders."

Since launching in 2011, NITA has graduated more than 750 Indigenous trainees across its sites at Mossman Gorge and Uluru.

National Indigenous Times was a guest of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.