Community
22 May, 2021
Giving students a strong start
SIX year 11 students from Bentley Park College and Trinity Bay State High School will get a head start at a career in health thanks to two local organisations.
Wuchopperen Health Service and 100 per cent Indigenous-owned and operated group training organisation Australian Training Works (ATW) have joined forces to recruit students for the program.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship Program, ‘Strong Start,’ which began on April 22, will allow Indigenous youth to achieve a nationally recognised qualification and on-the-job training while completing year 11 and 12.
“By allowing students to gain work skills while completing school, they’re able to work towards a goal, whether that be higher education or transition to work,” said Wuchopperen deputy CEO Rachael Ham.
ATW owner and managing director Tony Martens said it was great to partner with Wuchopperen, with both organisations sharing a commitment to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the local community.
“School-based traineeships can have enormous benefits for young people who prefer hands on learning to traditional schooling pathways and provides an opportunity to earn while they learn,” he said.
The program supports the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth who are engaged in employment or education.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide such an opportunity to the youth in our community and to keep our generations growing strong,” said Ms Ham.
