After bouncing between workplaces, Tyrone was looking for full-time work but unfortunately found nothing that fit inside his sons’ school care hours. When Tyrone heard about a paid traineeship at the Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club, funded through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program he jumped at the chance. The paid traineeship would provide him with a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management and kick-start his dream to pursue a career in horticulture.
The traineeship involves various garden projects at the Club and general maintenance of the area, including restoring scoreboards, painting fences, fixing zip ties that have come undone and Tyrone’s personal favourite, planting trees and plants in the gardens at the front of the club.
“Our supervisor and BUSY At Work mentor are really great, they are flexible with start and finish times which helps me out with my family situation, and are helping me get my foot in the door with this qualification,” said Tyrone.
“I would love to go forward with a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management after this traineeship and possibly become a park ranger, like the ones I met at Stradbroke Island growing up.”
“My family has always been really into gardening which sparked my passion for it, and my children are interested as well,” said Tyrone.
“My favourite thing to plant is that of the sub-tropical range and the native ground covers, anything that will help the wildlife and attract bees.”
Trainer of the program, Jarrod Bird, said the participants have done a really good job so far and have even started bringing in their own plants which they will plant in the gardens to help out the community club.
“Tyrone has donated so many of his plants and has brought his sons along to show them all the work their dad has done. I would employ Tyrone in a heartbeat if I was in a position to employ people,” said Jarrod.
Five weeks into the traineeship, Tyrone is finding the course extremely rewarding, “If you are motivated and put in the hard yards, it will show, and you will take so much pride in your work.”
Paul Miles, Managing Director at BUSY At Work said, “Many people can find themselves in situations like Tyrone, where they need to be able to support their family and also bring in an income through work. Programs like Skilling Queenslanders for Work can assist those people with a bridge back into employment. We are really pleased that Tyrone has the opportunity to fulfill his career dream in horticulture and support his family in the long term.”
For more information, visit www.busyatwork.com.au
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Ryan, BUSY At Work
0407 169 029 or email michelle.ryan@busyatwork.com.au
