Desley Hull loves to help people and when an opportunity arose to undertake a traineeship with Gladstone Community Linking Agency (GCLA) providing the prospect of helping people with disabilities while gaining a valuable qualification she enthusiastically accepted.
When Ms Hull commenced her traineeship in May 2012 she was a quiet and shy young girl with no real understanding for where her future career path would take her.
Ms Hull is one of the first graduates from 200 trainees and apprentices expected to come through the QGC Strengthening Local Workforces Program.
The three year partnership between QGC and BUSY At Work was formulated to attract apprentices and trainees into careers outside the natural gas industry.
Chief Executive Officer, Gladstone Community Linking Agency (GCLA), Ms Tracey Alexander said the Program provided an opportunity for Desley to up skill in an area she was not qualified in.
“The GCLA is a support and lobby group defending the rights of people with disabilities. The group promotes and lobbies for inclusive communities and valuing each person for their contribution to the community,” she said.
“The Program covered training in many aspects of our day to day administrative duties and it provided GCLA with a qualified and successful applicant for a position vacant we had.
“Desley is extremely resourceful and an excellent gift shopper. She has provided a warm and friendly environment around special occasions such as birthdays, weddings etc. that are celebrated at the workplace,” Ms Alexander said.
BUSY At Work CEO, Mr Paul Miles said that BUSY At Work played an integral role to the success of the program. “Our function at BUSY is aimed at improving completion and retention rates through matching local businesses with the right apprentice or trainee.
“To achieve this we provide a structured and continuous mentoring, skill development and care program throughout the life of the apprenticeship helping to safeguard our participants and keep them on the right track and focussed on their career goals.
“Further to this we provide important life skills training such as budgeting, communication and teamwork skills to compliment the technical aspects of the formal training,” Mr Miles said.
QGC Vice President of Sustainability, Mr Brett Smith, said QGC was delighted to partner with BUSY at Work on this important community initiative.
“QGC’s $3.5 million investment in the Strengthening Local Workforces Program has helped generate 200 new jobs in non-resources industries spanning sectors from health to hospitality, administration to automotive services,” said Mr Smith.
“In addition to providing participants with learning opportunities and job skills, the Program is ensuring that people across the Western Downs, Gladstone, North Burnett and Banana regions have diverse employment options outside the resources sector.”
Ms Hull said that the traineeship provided her with confidence in the workforce. “The skills I have gained have provided me with a valuable qualification and secured a full time position as Administration Assistant,” she said.
“The program was a great experience and gave me skills in time management to have the ability to work and study.
“I really enjoy working at GCLA and this program has allowed me to work in an environment where I am helping other people,” Ms Hull said.
Ms Hull now holds a Certificate III in Business Administration. She was one of twelve trainees and apprentices who celebrated with over 50 guests including family members and employers from across the Gladstone region at the Ridges Gladstone Hotel last night.
For further information about apprenticeships and traineeships call 13 BUSY (13 28 79) or go to www.busyatwork.com.au
From left to right: Paul Miles, Laura Edwardson, Serena Keleher, Jessica Luhrman, Tonella Hoffman, Nathan Bedford, Disa Soutar, Adelaide Maxwell, Desley Hull and Brett Smith
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MEDIA CONTACT: Leanne de Toerkenczy, Public Relations Coordinator
0438 173 960 or (07) 5585 4403
leanne.detoerkenczy@busyinc.com.au
