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Training grounds

Page 17, Vol. 17, No. 5, June 2008

Murgon State High School student Kalchiri Jacobs has found herself in the enviable position of getting paid to spend her days at Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast. The Year 11 student is one of more than 30 Indigenous students selected to take part in Sea World Resort's Indigenous School-Based Traineeship program. The students, from areas including Murgon, Cherbourg, Dalby and Bundaberg, work at the world famous theme park and resort through a block release program while completing their high school studies within their local communities. The traineeship, which runs for 18 months during Year 11 and Year 12, has given Kalchiri the opportunity to gain work experience while also working towards a Certificate III in Hospitality (Operations). "Throughout our traineeship we are training in administration, concierge, hospitality and housekeeping," Kalchiri said. Kalchiri plans to study nursing or teaching when she finishes Year 12, and hopes her hospitality training will help her find work while she is at university.

Student support
Sea World Resort school-based trainee coordinator Linda Biumaiwai is making sure the students receive support as they leave their families to start work and training. "Many of them get homesick, but we do a lot of work to prepare them for being away from home," Ms Biumaiwai said. She visits students and their families in their home communities and works closely with schools to make sure the students' timetable fits with their work and training commitments. Murgon principal Brian King said the school employed an Indigenous officer to help support the students. "She works with them on their training modules, helps them catch up on their schoolwork and teaches them time management skills," Mr King said. The first three Murgon students to undertake the program graduated last year. This year four Year 11 students, including Kalchiri, are taking part. "It's a marvellous opportunity because many of our Indigenous students are reluctant to leave the local community to find work and they have to if they want good opportunities," Mr King said.

A head start
Mr King said about 25 per cent of Year 12 students at Murgon were undertaking a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT) in areas such as hospitality, child care, carpentry, electrical and rural studies. He said SATs were a great way for students to start a career while at school. "Previously, we had students leaving school at 15 but this encourages them to continue with their schooling. It's good for them to earn some income too." Murgon's programs complement the State Government's commitment to continue increasing the number of school based apprentices and trainees to reach the target of 12,400 commencements in 2009. Deputy Director-General, Education, Jenny Cranston said SATs were a smart option for students to get a head start on their future. "A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship is a very attractive package for students. It prepares them for a move to higher education or the workplace," Ms Cranston said. "They also receive recognition for their hard work, with a school based traineeship contributing up to eight points, and a school based apprenticeship six points, towards a Queensland Certificate of Education."

For more information visit the Apprenticeships Information website or call 1800 210 210.

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