The JSA/DES conference earlier this month has successfully demonstrated the value of pursuing an apprenticeship or traineeship in Queensland.
On the 18th of September 2014, BUSY At Work hosted a half day conference for Job Services Australia (JSA) and Disability Employment Services (DES) providers from across South East Queensland. The foundation of the event was the pathways that exist for young people searching for work in the state, with a specific focus on the opportunities that exist in apprenticeships and traineeships.
The core message of the conference was to increase the star ratings of JSA/DES organisations by focusing on the range of career skills they offer to young people.
The keynote speaker, Rachel Dudok, began the event on the right footing, with an inspiring speech on her experience as a young apprentice. Ms Dudok is currently employed by Qantas, having recently completed a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics). She was also named the Queensland Apprentice of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards.
Employer groups were well represented at the conference. Roughly 70 individuals attended, learning about topics like labour forecasts in industries on the national skills needs list, thanks to data provided by Construction Skills Queensland and Energy Skills Queensland.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry also attended this event, adding to the range of groups who displayed their support for the VET system as a mechanism to grow the Australian economy.
Feedback from guests was incredibly positive and demonstrated the real value that the event offered to attendees.
One guest said: “This event was well and truly worth the time investment – I came away excited about what we can be looking at to improve the outcomes (apprenticeships/traineeships) for our job seekers, and I’m really keen to trial the Career Pathway program on your website.”
As well as hosting the conference, a team from BUSY At Work was on hand to provide information on the different support mechanisms that are available to JSA and DES providers. Particular focus was given to how individuals that are working with these organisations can transition into a full time apprenticeship.
While this conference is now over, the opportunities that exist for those seeking an apprenticeship or traineeship are only going to grow with time. As a result, the positive work of this conference is only just beginning.
