www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Students get career head-start
by Tim Fitzsimmons 18 January 2014
S
outh Western Sydney Institute (TAFE SWSi), in partnership with the Elisa Dixon program, is giving three young Aboriginal women from the South Western Sydney region a head-start in their career by taking them on as school-based trainees in 2014. The three young women will undertake the two year traineeship as part of their NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC), gaining hands-on work experience as well as a Certificate II qualification in Business when they complete their studies. TAFE SWSi Aboriginal Youth Programs Coordinator, Romina Figuerola said the program would equip the students with the skills and experience needed for the workforce or further study. “TAFE SWSi is proud to be playing a close role in the professional development of young people from our community in South Western Sydney,” Mrs Figuerola said.
TAFE SWSi Aboriginal Youth Programs Coordinator, Romina Figuerola, Shania Hellyer, Jodie Skidmore and Karinya McGuinness
“This is the first time our Institute has taken on schoolbased trainees and we are looking forward to helping them fulfil their career ambitions through study and first-hand work experience among our marketing, human resources, business development and organisational capabilities teams.” The three young women were selected for a traineeship from TAFE SWSi’s ‘Hands On’ program, which works with South Western Sydney schools in the development of study-to-employment pathways for Aboriginal teenagers. School-based trainee and Campbelltown local, 16 year old Shania said the experience would give her a head-start in her career. “The great thing about doing a School-based traineeship is that I’m gaining important workplace skills as part of my HSC,” Shania said. “That means I’ll be a step ahead of other school-leavers in two years’ time when I’m ready to take on further education or fulltime employment.” Shania plans to enter the police force when she finishes school but
believes that her traineeship will give her a good foundation for the future. “I’d like to serve the community someday as a police prosecutor but in the meantime I know that the skills and experience I gain through my traineeship will help me take on any future work challenge.” Fellow school-based trainee, 16 year old Karinya from Campbelltown, urged other school students to take on a traineeship, highlighting that it was a good opportunity to earn and learn. “I think more young people could benefit from a school-based traineeship because it gives you a chance to learn important business skills and an opportunity earn an income at the same time,” Karinya said. “I’m confident when I complete my traineeship I’ll be ready for the workforce or further study.” For more information about TAFE SWSi’s School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship program please call 13 SWSi (13 7974) or go to www.swsi.tafensw. edu.au.
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