When Year 11 Rivermount College student Cathy Coulthard began her school-based Traineeship with Morris Corporation she was a quiet modest young lady, uncertain of where her future might take her.
Fast forward five months and Cathy is a confident young person with clear ambitions to pursue a career in the administration field.
Originally hailing from Alice Springs before moving to Queensland with her parents, Cathy is proud of her Aboriginal heritage with the Warlpiri people on her mum’s side and the Arrernte people on her dad’s side.
Since starting her Certificate III in Business in July this year Cathy is revelling in the responsibilities that come with taking on a new role.
“I enjoy the interaction with the other staff, learning new skills and being able to help out where I can,” Ms Coulthard said.
BUSY At Work Managed People Services Team Leader, Vanessa Parry said the eighteen year old had positively embraced all aspects of the BUSY At Work Indigenous School-Based Mentoring Program.
“Cathy is very excited about the opportunities her traineeship will provide in the future. The SBT has allowed Cathy some flexibility with her school timetable and as a result she is now exploring pathways to pursue her goal of completing a Diploma in Business,” Ms Parry said.
Morris Corporation Learning and Development Advisor, Laura Ahern said Cathy had fitted in very well with the team at the Brisbane based office.
Morris Corporation is a national company providing quality remote village and asset management services to the mining and construction sectors.
“Cathy has demonstrated a great attitude and work ethic and is now at the stage where she is able to take on more administrative tasks using Microsoft Word and Excel as well as learn how to use our learning management system.”
“She has been a great asset recently in putting together materials for our annual conference and is always willing to lend a hand and help other staff members. We love having her on the team and believe she is well suited to the Morris Family,” Ms Ahern said.
Cathy is part of the Indigenous School-Based Mentoring Program which is funded by the Australian Government under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS).
Under the IAS, support is provided to connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of working age with real and sustainable employment.
Ms Ahern said Morris Corporation was delighted to partner with BUSY At Work in the Indigenous Mentoring Program.
“We have enjoyed seeing Cathy grow in confidence over time both personally and professionally through her traineeship and the mentoring.”
“She has really taken on board the additional support offered through the Indigenous School-Based Mentoring Program and is excited about the prospect of any doors the traineeship may open for her long term and Morris will support Cathy to achieve her goals however we can,” Ms Ahern added.
Cathy said she was thankful for the additional support she had received from BUSY At Work.
“The weekly and monthly contacts I have with the BUSY At Work mentor have helped me focus on my study and allowed me to gain more confidence. I am looking forward to completing my traineeship next July and seeing what other pathways I can take,” Ms Coulthard said.
BUSY At Work CEO, Paul Miles said BUSY was pleased to see a young person being given an opportunity to learn new skills and gain a Certificate III in Business.
“We are committed to working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community in building a better future.”
“Through the Indigenous School-Based Mentoring Program Cathy has been able to enjoy the challenge of learning new skills while building a bright future for herself,” Mr Miles said.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator
0438 173 960 leanne.macnamara@busyatwork.com.au
