First-year hospitality trainee Robin Redshaw is among the first of potentially hundreds of young people to benefit from QGC’s Strengthening Local Workforces Program over the next three years.
Launched in February 2012, QGC has partnered with BUSY At Work to match apprentices and trainees with businesses outside the coal seam gas industry in regional Queensland. The program will provide support, mentoring and coaching to help boost retention and completion rates of apprentices and trainees.
Robin is one of two trainees at Dicey’s Bar and Grill in Gladstone who has been placed through the program and is completing her Certificate III in Hospitality. Having started her traineeship last year, Robin is doing well. Ray Manning, Bistro Manager said “This program allows everyone to achieve and fulfil their goals and Robin is very trustworthy and reliable.”
The program supports the trainees and apprentices and local business owners.
Mary Dare is the Strengthening Local Workforces support officer for the Gladstone region and has been working closely with Dicey’s Irish Bar and Grill in Gladstone and Ray Manning could not be more impressed. “Without Mary and the program we would not have had the time to source someone like Robin,” said Ray.
“The program offers an extra pair of hands for the manager as they don’t always have the time to spend with the trainee. The mentoring and coaching is a great support for us and Robin also, the extra support takes a load off management.”
Ray and Mary are now working closely to implement critical skills training for the trainees, which is fundamental to the programs success. The scope of the training will go beyond the technical world in the restaurant and will feed into their personal skills and provide opportunities for the young women to develop their communication, decision making and self management skills. Recently Robin was awarded employee of the month at Dicey’s Irish Bar and Grill so she’s already on the right path.
The QGC Strengthening Local Workforces Program supports local businesses in Western Downs, Gladstone, North Burnett and Banana Shire LGAs. Participation is free for businesses within these regions. The Program will match local businesses with the right apprentice or trainee and then provide a structured mentoring program to support participating apprentices and trainees towards completing their qualification. If your business is interested in participating in the program contact 13BUSY, 132879.
