aitc magazine issue dec/2015 - australian industry … · 2016-04-21 · aitc magazine issue...

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AITC MAGAZINE ISSUE DEC/2015 Northern Campus Set to Open in January Kokoda Trail 2015 Sticking to Your Guns MOSH Design Believes in AITC Bold Moves & BHAGs Cambodia Trip Changes Lives AITC Graduates Shine

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A I T C M A G A Z I N E I S S U E D E C / 2 0 1 5

Northern Campus Set to Open in January

Kokoda Trail 2015

Sticking to Your Guns

MOSH Design Believes in AITC

Bold Moves & BHAGs

Cambodia Trip Changes Lives

AITC Graduates Shine

When the horse, Prince of Penzance crossed the finish line to win the Melbourne

Cup this year, we all had to take a second glance at the jockey who was punching the air.

He was a woman! I mean “she” was a woman!!!Michelle Payne (the Jockey) proved

that the only limits to our lives are the mental pictures we hold about what is possible. The picture in her head was obviously one of holding the Melbourne Cup as a female victor.

Was it a fluke or was it a plan or …… how did that happen? Let’s be clear – it was not a fluke, it was the result of a “BHAG” – a BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOAL. That is another word for an objective, which appears to be beyond our reach and therefore inspires us to reach into deeper realms of motivation in our being in order to achieve it.

A few days after watching Michelle’s Cup victory, I stood at the AITC graduation ceremony and shook the hands of around 150 young men and women who also held a picture in their heads of graduating with a senior education and a job. This was also an idea that challenged the opinions of their friends who may not have thought they could achieve both so quickly. They were AITC young people who set BHAG’s for their lives and achieved them. Well done!

The Australian Industry Trade College community loves these stories because they form the very spirit of the AITC values. Like Michelle Payne, we know that success is not an accident or some kind of fate – it is hard work and persistence over a long period of time.

AITC young people’s further success has attracted much attention this year with a few examples listed below:• Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

investigated the AITC model in November• Redlands City Council has cleared the way for a second AITC Campus commencing in January 2016.• TAFE Queensland have invested $500,000 into the establishment of the second campus because they believe in the quality of AITC apprentices.• The IQ program has attracted the largest intake of over 60 young people to the Gold Coast campus including 10 from Redlands area.• Over $100,000 in Corporate Alliance funding have made the program at the AITC possible in 2015.• Staff have been conference speakers at both national and international events with an increasing number of interested parties asking whether we can establish a college in their region. (We were asked by a group in NZ this year).• The AITC International Service Project to Cambodia (A team of 46 ) raised over $120,000 to fund 12 service projects to assist critically poor families.

I hope every young person has learned that every achievement starts with a goal and that every extraordinary achievement starts with a BHAG.

Just ask Michelle Payne and the AITC graduating class of 2015. Regards,

Mark Hands, CEO

PAGE 1

Bold Moves and BHAG’s – (Big Hairy Audacious Goals)

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Congratulations to all the finalists of the 2015 TAFE Gold Coast Apprentice Awards. We are particularly proud to acknowledge the finalists below who are all graduates of the AITC.

Britney Baker - Winner 1st Year Hairdressing Apprentice of the YearTyler Vote - Winner 2nd Year Hairdressing Apprentice of the YearBlake Lawrence - Finalist 1st Year Automotive Apprentice of the YearHarrison Barker - Winner 3rd Year Automotive Apprentice of the Year

Dean Grey - Finalist 2nd Year Construction Apprentice of the YearJake Ruttley - Winner 3rd Year Construction Apprentice of the YearJaxon Glancy - Finalist 1st Year Hospitality Apprentice of the YearBeau Jones - Finalist 3rd Year Engineering Apprentice of the YearJordan Bulte - Finalist 3rd Year Engineering Apprentice of the YearDale Meyer - Winner 3rd Year Engineering Apprentice of the YearReece Liefman - Finalist 3rd Year Plumbing Apprentice of the Year n

PAGE 2

The AITC Chairman’s Golf Day focussed on connecting with AITC young people,

local employers, corporate alliance partners, tradespeople and business professionals. Many levels of golfing skills were displayed and it was noted that although the handicaps did vary a lot, much fun and camaraderie was enjoyed by all.

Winning Team (for the second year running) was the BAWM Team:

John Duncalf, Dean Cheffers, Anthony Hockings, Adam Beck

Congratulations to the back-to-back Champions.

A big thank you to all the players who made the day such a great success. n

Chairman’s Golf DayAITC Graduates shine at TAFE GC Awards

PAGE 3

On the 1st of November 1914, Albany in Western Australia became the final departure

point for the first ANZAC troops on their way to the battlefields of the First World War.

Between the 29th of October and 4th of November 2014, as a token of respect for our ANZAC soldiers, the AITC took a group of staff and students to volunteer at the 100 year commemoration service.

We all became involved in fund raising, researching soldiers and signed up as volunteers for the many events that would take place – some of these included cooking breakfast for hundreds of naval personnel, the responsibility of crowd control at formal ceremonies and contributing to the 30,000 poppies set up in the sand to represent our ANZACS.

Along with our assigned duties we took tours on Australian, NZ and Japanese naval ships, visited the National Anzac Centre and saw the church where the first ever dawn service was held.

The young men who gave their lives were no older than us. While we sat in Maths and English working towards our QCE, which we receive tonight, those soldiers fought for our country, the same country we live in today.

Although that was a significant part of the trip, we’ll always remember the early morning wake ups, late nights, long bus rides, endless laughter, the inside jokes and the different people we met along the way.

One of the biggest eye openers was seeing just how many people were there to experience this unforgettable occasion. We talked to a lot of people, many who had travelled a long way and talking to them we felt like we could learn and gain knowledge. It was at the Dawn service that it finally hit us, the true meaning of what these young men did. We all left Western Australia with a different view of the true meaning of sacrifice. nby Alison Davies.

I’m writing this for all you young upcoming apprentices. I know what its like to be stuck at school doing

your four week blocks and then to go do work experience and work another four weeks and still not have a dollar to your name, month after month after month… I have been there! But don’t lose sight of the goals you have and the reason you have come to this unique school which offers you opportunities and possibilities that a conventional school could never give you.

I started my journey at the AITC back in 2010, fresh out of grade 10 conventional schooling where I couldn’t handle the stress of seemingly never ending pointless assignments and doing classes that I knew I had no passion or interest in. I was fairly optimistic at the start as I had an initial interest in carpentry and thought I had a sure thing with the builder I was working with at the time. But unfortunately there was a slump in work and he could not put me on. It put a spanner in the works and I was off to a rough start.

I continued on though. Doing my studies in Maths A, English, Business and IT while doing numerous four week blocks for different builders and hoping to find one that would take me on.

After almost a year I was still without an employer and starting to wonder if coming to the College was a good

Stories from our Students...

Stick to your Guns

100 Year ANZAC Service

PAGE 4

choice. Thinking of the friends I had made and left behind, struggling to find people I got along with at the College and wondering if carpentry was even for me.

I went to one of the colleges EC’s and asked if I wasn’t interested in carpentry what else could I try. A work experience position for marine electrical came up. I did the four weeks and found myself far more interested in the laws and fundamentals of electricity than I ever did carpentry and with a new hope that I was on the right track.

After doing about four different blocks with different electricians I finally got my chance when I landed a block working with Stowe Australia. I got to work in a service van with an experienced old tradie who admired my hard work and positive attitude, who then in turn gave me a good rap to the project manager who gave me start in the electrical industry early 2012.

There’s no doubt, if I didn’t do well in Maths, followed the leadership of my parents and EC’s and kept faith with my own ability that I wouldn’t have landed that job or had the ability to do my TAFE studies. The College was an integral part of my success and journey in becoming an electrician and in turn the person I am now.

I remember one time back in grade 12 when Mark Hands addressed us to tell us somewhat of a proverb about a man who owned a farm. The story went on to say that the farmer planted rocks, season after season and wondered why at harvest time he had nothing to sow. The meaning was in my eyes, that in

life if you sow nothing but negativity, laziness and are naïve due to ignorance (in this case the farmer planting rocks and hoping something will come of it) you will not reap anything worth having in life.

My top tip for current college students who are yet to land apprenticeships is remember to keep to your guns and know that if you work hard at the college and in your eventual apprenticeship good things will come. You can only reap what you sow after all.

Now that I have done my hard yards as a College student and an apprentice the world is open to hundreds of opportunities I would have previously

never had available to me. Jobs in Mining earning 6 figure salaries or in Construction, Industrial, Commercial or starting my very own business.

My future goals are to remain on the Gold Coast working for Stowe, while saving for a holiday or a new HSV, with future ambitions of owing my own home and one day being financially independent. I am extremely excited about what the future holds and hope my short story might help some of you through tough times you may be having and to realize that the AITC is the stepping stone to your future goals in your chosen industry. nby James Moxham.

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PAGE 5

EXPECTATIONS

Idecided to enrol at the Australian Industry Trade College for many reasons, I was a real bludger in all my

subjects except metal work and wood work class; I was top of my class in those. I was always wagging every other of my classes and I knew I wasn’t going down the right path. I realized I wasn’t going to pass school. The AITC was much more than I expected, it is an adult environment, and it was such a change from my old school. My main goal was to successfully pass my QCE and gain an apprenticeship, which I have finally achieved!

INDUSTRYI started off at the college wanting to do engineering, but I had a passion for pretty much every trade and every trade I did. I would work very hard and usually, after a work experience block, the boss asked me if I wanted to be signed up, but I was kind of picky. I had changed my trade almost every work experience I did. I wanted to try different ones and test out what I was best at and what I liked the most. I learned a lot of valuable skills that I can use in everyday life and that to be in a good work environment makes work so much better than being in a bad environment.

Finally I was asked to be signed up with my current boss as a chippy and I knew that this was the right trade and the right company. I’ve learnt that working hard will get you any job you want. The two most important things I’ve learnt is that

no one’s going to do it for me anymore and no one’s going to help me if I don’t listen. EDUCATIONBefore I was accepted to the school I had to do a few things, and my favourite one was the Emu Gully Camp. I was nervous at first. I didn’t really want to go but after about an hour of being there, I was already having fun. The food was good, the activities were fun and it didn’t really feel like a school camp at all. There was nothing similar about my education at my last school and The Trade College; I had to raise my hand and ask the teacher if I could go to the bathroom at my old school. I always felt like a child. The easiest thing about my education at the

AITC was how straight forward the work is and how much help the teachers give you, they really care about whether you are passing. This was a new experience for me. VALUES AND TIPS FOR SUCCESSIf I had to give advice to the first years I would say to make sure you don’t muck around and watch YouTube during your education block. It’s easy to fall behind and staying back in leave week isn’t great when you could be making money, which was a big challenge for me. So the tips for first years would be, stay focused, don’t be late, and work hard during the work block too because this is how you will get your apprenticeship. nby Connor Keys

Stories from our Students...

My Journey

PAGE 6

Kokoda Trail 2015...Stories from our Students

Every year in July, the Gold Coast plays host to the Kokoda Challenge. Starting at Firth Park

Mudgeeraba, following 96kms of rough terrain through the Hinterland participants finish up at the Nerang Velodrome. This year, 3 young people and 1 staff member successfully completed this gruelling challenge.

The reason behind the distance and time of this trek is that 96km is the length of the actual Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea and the 39 hours is in honour of the 39th militia, the first Australian troops to set foot on the Kokoda Track in 1942. In addition to the extreme physical adversity of the challenge, participants are expected to fundraise in the months leading up to the event. All money raised going towards the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program and the trip to Papua New Guinea.

To shed light from a more personal note, here is Joel Baxter’s recollections from his time in PNG:

“HELLO MY NAME IS JOEL and I’d like to share with you our 2015 Kokoda experience.”

After 20 weeks of Thursday afternoon training sessions and long Sunday walks on the Gold Coast, it was finally time to begin. Ryan, Brad, Amy and I were ready to embark on the trip of a life time, to walk the Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea.

We would live out of our 15kgs bags

for the next 12 days and on September 17th we were ready to find out what the land of the unexpected, would throw at us.

Stepping off the plane in PNG was like stepping into a massive oven. The Humidity was at 95% - it hit us right between the eyes.

Our first expedition was to visit the Bomana War Cemetery, it is here where most of our Aussie diggers are buried. A white cross marks their sacrifice and the sight pulls your heart strings in the worst way. It was such a humble experience.

The next 9 days of walking in the footsteps of our heroes were full of ups and downs, there were many tears, and not just from Amy, there were plenty of laughs as well.

So many memories that we will never forget, like getting woken up at 4 O’clock every morning to the sounds of pans crashing together, roosters crowing or some crazy person called Amy - Yelling at the top of her lungs in the style made famous by Robin Williams in GOOD MORNING PNG !

One of the biggest eye openers for me was seeing just how little the villagers along the track had. Yet in spite of their limited material possessions they were the happiest people I’ve ever come across. I learnt in an instant be forever grateful and that I shouldn’t take things in life for granted.

The most memorable stop along the track was the end of day 8 where we all met at Isurava.

Isurava is known as the battle of the war. It played a huge role in Australia’s overall victory in PNG.

We held a dawn service in the misty light, and the rain reminded us of the terrible conditions that many soldiers fought and died in.

We stood there proudly to honour their ultimate sacrifice in front of the four Pillars which represent the values of the ANZACS – COURAGE – ENDURANCE- MATESHIP & SARIFICE

This is something all four of us will never forget. We could feel the presence of passed diggers who fought for our freedom in 1942, it was such a privilege.

The last 12 days had changed us and as we left with memories etched in our minds and hearts, we departed with just a glimpse of what took place along the Kokoda track. nby Joel Baxter

PAGE 7

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Mosh Design and Construction Pty Ltd are located at Currumbin and pride

themselves on thinking outside the square when it comes to Shopfitting and joinery for retail stores, homes and commercial properties. They have been a flexible and invaluable employer for AITC

providing work experience and changing our young people’s lives by signing up school based apprentices. In fact, the four AITC students they have signed up since 2011 to 2015 are still working there and flourishing in the workplace. They believe in our Brand, students and our values.

They believe our students have the capabilities to learn, grow and flourish once signed up into their cabinetmaking or Shopfitting apprenticeships. This is evident when signing Zachary in December 2012 into his Shopfitting Apprenticeship. He proved his capabilities as a leader when he was awarded a promotion as supervisor in the company.The next apprentice signed up was Montell in December 2013 who loves his shop fitting apprenticeship life and has flourished under Michael and the team’s leadership. Ashley was signed up in October 2014 and has been a valuable asset to the company. The most recent sign up was with Nicholas in August 2015 into his Cabinet making apprenticeship and he is gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to grow within the company too.

Michael is open to our young people trialling the trade and if they show signs of A MOSH employability fit they may land an apprenticeship opportunity. Michael is always on the lookout for future shopfitters with enthusiasm, respect and willingness to give it a go. n

MOSH Design believe in the AITC students!

PAGE 8

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In place of a traditional sports carnival the AITC team members take part in a day of activities targeted at teamwork

and the development of some of the College’s core values. This is known as Trade Olympics. Preparation for the days’ events begin in the weeks leading up to it with much planning and organisation to ensure the days’ success.

The young people are allocated and compete in one of seven different teams, each named after one of the College

values; Honesty, Mateship, Courage, Safety, Hard work, Respect, Pride. Each team dresses in their team colours using hats, bandannas, face paint and team chants are created - the level of enthusiasm is electric.

The day’s events are designed to focus on key values that the College aims to uphold whilst having a “tradie flavour”. Tyres, medicine balls, wheelbarrows, gumboots, tug-o-war and wooden logs all play a part during the day.

The final event of the day is a staff and team member favourite. The Iron Tradie requires one member of each team to compete in the most challenging event of the day. Strength, stamina, potato peeling skills and a strong stomach are all required for the gruelling multi-faceted event. With each young man being cheered on by his team mates all run, chew, skip, peel, drink and drive a wheelbarrow to the best of their abilities with one ultimate winner. Callum kept down his cold pie and can of soft drink to

be named Iron Tradie for 2015. His name will be recorded on the perpetual trophy that holds the names of successful Iron Tradies for the past eight years.

By all accounts, the Trade Olympics is always a huge success allowing the young people to experience a rare day out of College. The College values hold the day’s focus whilst helping the young people come away having shared a day of fun, challenges and teamwork. n

Not your traditional Sports’ Day!

This year one of the AITC Team Leaders created a new initiative at the College - the AITC

Boardriders Club. The AITC Boardriders is a group of dedicated surfers who attend College and wish to extend their friendships and be inspired by others outside of the classroom. The program began as a way of sharing our common love for surfing and to have opportunities to learn from one another through regular meetings. The Surfing Excellence Program focuses on developing the whole person.

As part of the program the Boardriders have had access to elite professionals in the surf industry including an excursion to Harvey Surf to visit well-known and respected surfboard shaper and surfing guru, Richard Harvey. The quality of instruction is important to the AITC Boardriders and the opportunity to learn from those that have reached the highest standards is part of the program. The program is also enriched by visiting speakers who offer expertise in surfing education.

Three young people represented the AITC in the South Coast Surfing Titles and the Mark Richards Shield teams event. This was a first for the college with Kal making the South Coast Team.

Not only have great friendships been formed through the program, but by far the most rewarding aspect of the AITC Boardriding club, is having the opportunity to be alongside our young people, encourage, support and inspire them to be and to give the best they can in every area of their life. n

Surf’s Up!

PAGE 9

Exciting times lie ahead for the Australian Industry Trade College as the Redlands Campus prepares

to open its doors in the new school year with 100 students.

Nine of these students joined the Gold Coast AITC in July 2015 to be part of the Industry Quickstart (IQ) Program. They attended pre-employment training locally in the Redlands with AITC partner TAFE Skillstech and work experience with local Redlands employers. According to their parents, these nine young men have been transformed by their experience; one mum recently said that her son had “re-joined the family, regularly sharing stories over dinner about his days at College, TAFE and work.”

The new campus is located in Cleveland, perfectly situated at Toondah Harbour, the gateway to Moreton Bay, and well-connected with trains, buses and ferries. Renovations have transformed the 1970’s style building into a modern college campus.

Young people have been recruited from across the Redlands and adjoining suburbs as far afield as Coorparoo,

Loganholme and Wynnum. Many local Redlands schools have recognised the value of an AITC education and have welcomed our staff to their Career Expos as well as actively promoting the college to students with a keen trade interest. This endorsement is highly valued by the AITC and, as one state high school Deputy Principal said, “It’s not about our numbers, it’s about what’s best for the individual students and there’s no way we can do what you do to prepare them for trade careers!”

In July this year Mark Hands AITC CEO appointed Alan Denham as College Principal. Alan has considerable experience working with young people in both state and private schools. Alan has also led many school expansion programs, making him an excellent fit for the AITC’s growth. Employment consultants are already active in the Redlands and employers are reportedly very enthusiastic at the opportunities that lie ahead. Innovation in education is what we do best and the Redlands community has embraced its newest and most innovative school. n

Northern Campus Set to Open in January 2016

PAGE 10

Industry Celebration Evening (ICE) 2015

PAGE 11

On the 26th September 2015, 30 young people from the AITC, 6 employers, 8 staff and 2 former

AITC team members departed on a life changing trip to Cambodia.

Every morning we would get up at about 6am and meet in a big dining hall to discuss the activities for the day. The tasks were varied. Some of the team members worked on extending the rice shelter with the employers whilst others repaired uneven roads infront of the school, filling in pot holes and making the road safer. One of the biggest project was in Mondual Bai where the young people built a house for a critically poor family. The family had a small house in very poor condition which leaked due to the holes in the roof. It took 4 days to build their new house.

A group of 4 AITC girls were onsite

hairdressers. This team trained 3 locals Cambodian girls to do basic hairdressing and left them with packs of scissors and clippers for them to start up their own businesses. Our young ladies cut the hair of 180 Cambodians in two weeks!

Another group worked in the school as teacher aides and assisted the local teachers and New Hope staff in classes with up to 57 students, showing them activities they had never done before.

The filtration plant needed a roof so

Cambodia Changes Lives

The growth in demand for workers in the childcare sector represents a great opportunity

for young people.With the increased need for both

parents to work, there has been a significant rise in the number of children accessing early childhood care. This increased demand has resulted in the need for higher standards of training and education for those looking after children in the thousands of childcare centres dotted around our large nation.

There are more than one million children in approved childcare in Australia, and this is increasing every year.

With this in mind, the AITC is now offering its young people the opportunity to undertake traineeships with specialist children’s services training college, Kool Kids Training College (KKTC).

As the need for childcare workers continues to increase, this will open up opportunities and numerous career pathway options for those choosing early Childhood as their career choice. n

A Career in Early Childhood Awaits

PAGE 12

two employers and a team of young people completed that task before joining the team building the rice shelter.

At the end of the sojourn the team had time to visit the local markets at night and a number of temples. One of the highlights was the visit to Ankor Wot at sunset and then again at 4am to see the sun rise.

The quote below from one of our young people sums up the experience:

“Mark Hands told us we would change – I may not have grown taller

or I may not look different but I feel like my heart has grown stronger and I’ve become more passionate. Cambodia taught me to be grateful for the things

we have. I only have a few words to explain my time in Cambodia – amazing, great, awesome, fantastic, wonderful, life changing”. n

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“I may not have grown taller or I may not look different but I feel like my heart has grown stronger and I’ve become more passionate.”

PAGE 13

After becoming the 1000th Apprentice that the Australian Industry College has signed into

an apprenticeship in January 14, this year, James Fallon has gone on to win; The Master Plumbers of Queensland School-based Apprentice of the Year, The Australian Industry Trade College Apprentice Plumber of the Year, The Australian Industry Trade College Apprentice of the Year.

Although these were all impressive achievements, it didn’t stop there as James was announced as the winner of the Hutchinson Builders Construction Student of the Year at the 2015 Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) Excellence Awards. James was presented

his award in front of an industry sell-out crowd at a gala event in Brisbane on Friday, November 13. The Construction Student of the Year is a State Award that recognises the achievements of a young person who in completing their Senior Schooling has demonstrated a commitment to their trade through industry placement, education and training.

The judges of this award commented it was a hotly contested field of entries but James stood out with a compelling story including endorsement from his employer, Luke Bauer from Os Plumbing and staff at the Australian Industry Trade College (AITC). James writes, “I enrolled at the AITC in January 2014 as a Year 11

student. I heard about the program from friends at my AFL Club and it sounded like a good way to get into the trade I wanted to do.” I completed several work experience placements over a 12 month period before being signed up as a Plumber earlier this year. I’m now midway through my first year of my apprenticeship and my goals are to first complete the Certificate 3 in Gas-fitting, Plumbing & Drainage and then move on to becoming qualified to eventually run my own business. I got into Plumbing working with my dad who is also a Plumber and has been for most of his life. I have been helping dad on weekends and holidays since I was in Primary school.”

CSQ CEO, Brett Schimming went on to highlight the outstanding ongoing success of the Awards. “This year we are proud to celebrate 20 years of training excellence,” he said. “The Awards honour the hard work and commitment of apprentices, employers and training organisations across the state.”To receive an award in this milestone year is extra special for all of our very deserving winners. “Attracting an extremely high calibre of nominations each year, the CSQ Excellence Awards are the only awards to include all members, sectors and levels of Queensland’s building and construction industry. “The Awards have become the most prestigious event on the Queensland construction industry calendar and we look forward to continuing this legacy for many years to come.” The CSQ Excellence Awards attract over 750 guests and honour the training and skilling achievements of students, schools, trainers, training organisations, industry employees and employers. n

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PAGE 14

Maintrade has been working with Australian Industry Trade College since May 2008 and

have taken 8 school based apprentices during this time. They are a family oriented employer and they have

strong team values including respect, trustworthiness, accountability, honesty, safety, living life to the fullest and listening – not only with their clients but also with their staff. They believe that staff are an integral part of the success

of their business and regularly have team building days including Skirmish, Golf, Go Carting, Squash to name a few.

These values are lived by the staff as they go out together on weekends and become friends not just workmates. The apprentices say it the best place they have ever worked and the Management and the staff are great.

When they are looking for an apprentice, they look for someone who has an interest in the trade, enjoys working with their hands, has an interest to investigate how to put things together, a passion for learning whilst at the same time their personal values need to be honesty, sensitivity to other’s needs and to be courteous to all.

The work that Maintrade do can be different on a day to day basis – it is never boring as they have a large client base and are the preferred repairers of a large insurance company, covering an area from North Brisbane to Ipswich to southern Gold Coast.

We would like to congratulate Chris Jefferson – the owner, who received our prestigious award of AITC Employer of the Year at our last Industry Celebration Evening held November 2015. Chris said that he was ecstatic to receive this award and very proud as it was inspiring to be acknowledged for their work with our young people and to have their mentoring recognised.

When they are ready to hire an apprentice Maintrade always approaches AITC to deliver the standard that they have come to expect from our College. n

Employer of the Year - MAINTRADE

PAGE 15

The future is a mystery that holds an amazing array of options for us. But what options should I take hold

of and run with? Many young people leaving traditional

schools are facing a future that to them is vague, distant, doubtful and lonely. And yet, for others it is clear, close by, purposeful and exciting in its social and career opportunities. How can all our young people be ready to tackle this ‘brave new world’?

In the closing weeks of Term 4, we looked at some helpful guiding principles for moving forward. These may help as your young person discusses their future! 1. Replace expectations with plans. Growing up, young people learn to expect things from their parents and other significant adults. However, they need to learn to plan so that they can be responsible for their own decisions and willing to accept the positive or negative consequences. Of course, while we hope they will make positive decisions, the key is to plan. 2. Prepare for different possibilities.Bobby was determined to become an astronaut from a young age. All through secondary school he hung on to this unrealistic academic dream. When he finally left college, he decided to try being an Aircraft Mechanic. Still near his passion for flight, his new realism bred success. The range of jobs can be quite diverse as people start to explore options in a realistic way. 3. Become a feeling observer.Teddy realised after three or four work experience blocks that he needed to hear what the boss was saying, and

not listen just to his tone of voice. One boss pointed out that some days he gets worried about not having enough work coming in and so becomes a little frustrated. Teddy said that as he thought about that, he realised that listening to people wasn’t just about hearing their words. 4. Get confident about your coping and adapting skills.At the college, young people are challenged to face each situation by thinking about the problem, coming up with realistic options and choosing the most appropriate direction to follow. Practising this skill at college and in work experience can help prepare the young person to handle challenges, readying them for leadership. 5. Utilise stress reduction techniques pre-emptively.It is far better to admit the stress and deal with it, rather than press it down in silence, waiting for the explosion. Deep breaths, standing upright with hands on hips, relaxing the body by lying down and focusing on each body part help calm the mind and prepare for new experiences.

6. Focus on what you can control.An old prayer says: God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference. Too often we try to change the unchangeable. We need to focus on being realistic, logical, sensible and faithful to steering a course.

7. Practice mindfulness.Mindfulness is about being focused on the here and now. It is about accepting your own thoughts and feelings without judgement. This gives you opportunity to be honest with yourself. The next stage is to decide whether you are following your value system and how you might then respond to those thoughts and feelings.

Parents: be patient, listen and speak using ‘I’ statements explaining your feeling. Keep discussions calm and without the expectation while being there for them. Good luck. n

Industry Quickstart (IQ) Program was designed as a developmental program for young people in Year

10 choosing industry as a first choice. 2015 saw the program grow from a pilot program last year with 29 young people to 68 enthusiastic learners in July 2015.

The program included an induction camp at Emu Gully, exploring the development opportunities on the Gold Coast from Q1, experiencing changes in technology with a visit to an automated robotic dairy, pushing their personal boundaries with indoor and outdoor rock climbing and finally expanding their thinking beyond the Gold Coast by exploring the construction story of Sydney. The group toured the Rocks district, the Harbour Bridge, Barangaroo, Star City and the new light rail project. The mechanical group went to Sydney Olympic Park to watch the top V8 teams battle it out in the Sydney 500.

The 2015 program has been a huge success with a number of young people ready to be signed up into their preferred trade. More importantly, there are a number of young people that have changed their work preference after completing pre-employment training and work experience. For these young people the IQ Program has assisted them in refining their career path and has ensured that they are now ready to start Year 11 at the AITC with an informed career direction. n

Focusing on the Future2015 Industry Quickstart Program

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After two years of good times, hard work and ups and downs, the graduating group of 2015,

finally finished. We had the privilege of celebrating their achievements on Wednesday 18th November at Bond University. 147 Graduates excitedly arrived with all their special friends and family in tow to support them, filling the Basil Sellars Theatre to capacity and

beyond. This was evidence of how highly they regard this momentous occasion and how proud they all were of their achievements. Parents and guardians were there to mark this final milestone, some excited, some anxious for what the future might hold but most just breathing a sigh of relief that their young person had finally finished their schooling.

The graduation ceremony was an opportunity to recognise each and every individual for their achievements over the past 12 years. We also enjoyed presentations from team members about so many of the exciting adventures that this fortunate cohort have had the privilege of participating in. Some highlights included their reflections and appreciation for the leadership opportunities offered by the AITC; for the life changing experiences of the International Service project to Cambodia, the trials and sacrifices of walking the Kokoda tracks and for the

proud moments shared as part of the Albany ANZAC ambassadors.

Thanks to generous sponsorship from Bendigo Bank Paradise Point, we were able to recognise the academic achievers who excelled in education at the college. Although not every team member was an award winner, every graduate could be proud of completing their studies at the same time as taking their first steps into the real world. All of these young people have had the advantage of getting out into the workforce and gaining the skills and experience necessary to get a head start in their careers. For the majority of them this is not the end of the safe and protected world of school, rather it marks a much anticipated time when they can step out fulltime into the world of work, for which they have been so well prepared.

So to the graduates of 2015, congratulations and to their parents and guardians, thank you for entrusting us with your young person for this short chapter of their lives. n

Is it Adopt-a-Cop or Adopt a School?” While we struggled to figure this out, two policemen walked through the

breezeway of the AITC. It was morning break and all eyes turned to see them stop in the Piazza and have a long, sometimes knowing look around.

While the Adopt-a-Cop program has been running for some time, the AITC began making enquiries about Police involvement in the college toward the end of 2014. A meeting between Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Smith and Head of College Tricia Mason-Smith (no relation) in early 2015 led to ongoing contact and the proposal that Brendan and Jared join us once a month for a regular Site Meeting, spend some time during the breaks making connection with some of the Team Members and even spend some time in the Strength and Fitness Area (our gym).

In the meantime Chris has been a great support helping us with our Wellbeing Days. While we do our best to provide the Team Members with adequate information on important issues, we

decided last year to introduce Wellbeing Days. These involve half a day or full day programs dealing with Violence, Domestic Violence, Sex and Sexuality, Drugs, Red Frogs and Sphere, to name just a few. In May and June we ran a day for each Group in both Year 1 and Year 2 dealing with Violence. Through Chris’s efforts we met Holly, Officer in Charge, Gold Coast Crime Prevention and Senior Constable Tracey who did a fantastic job creating and delivering a presentation on One Punch Kills. When Tracey, her sergeant by her side, presented to the second group some five weeks later (Holly had other commitments), the presentation was sharper and more interactive. As teachers, we were impressed by the professionalism.

Our latest Wellbeing Day was dealing with Sex and Sexuality. Tracey, Brendan and Constable Vanessa presented to our Team Members on the criminal issues associated with underage sex and other legal issues related to Sex and Sexuality. Again, these were well organised and well presented. Tracey and Vanessa then

contributed to a session with the girls and Brendan to a session with the boys. All contributions were outstanding showing a genuine concern for the young people and a willingness to speak frankly and compassionately.

Since then Brendan and Jared have visited, connecting with some of our young men in a thoughtful and professional manner. We look forward to the next Sex and Sexuality event and their continued positive and encouraging contribution to the wellbeing of our young people. n

Graduation 2015

Adopt-a-Cop Builds Bridges

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More Sign Ups for 2015

Since 2008, the AITC has placed over 1100 Apprentices in more than 68 different trade qualifications

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