Lismore Trainee finalists for North Coast & Mid North Coast Training Awards

Two local Trainees have been named as finalists for the 2019 North Coast & Mid North Coast Training Awards – Lee Perkins and Elsie Smith.

ETC’s Business Relationship Manager – Traineeships, Ingrid Johansen said this was a huge accomplishment for Lee and Elsie.

“The ETC Training team are very proud of them both,” Ms Johansen said.

Trainee of the Year finalist Lee Perkins, recently completed a Certificate III Business with ETC’s Earn While You Learn traineeship program while he was working at the Catholic Diocese in Lismore.

Ms Johansen said that Lee was able to use this as a stepping stone for University.

“This has really helped Lee to pinpoint what he wanted to do after finishing High School. He is now attending the University of Melbourne, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Philosophy with ambitions for a career in Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy,” Ms Johansen said.

Lee said that during his Traineeship he realised how important it was to understand how every aspect of a business or institution worked.

“If I eventually want to move into a Directorial or Managerial role, if I don’t have this practical understanding, I’m not going to be able to exceed to the point that I want to. That’s why by doing this traineeship it has really set me up for my future,” Lee said.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year finalist, Elsie Smith, has also been undertaking the Certificate III in Business which she has recently completed.

“Elsie was employed at ETC’s Ballina office while she completed her traineeship and has now commenced a job at FACS Community Services in Lismore,” Ms Johansen said.

“She has shown dedication to her studies – even when she had to get up at 4:30am each morning just to make it to work on time by 8:30am. We have seen the pride that she takes in her role as a NCAP Administration Officer supporting local Indigenous job seekers.”

Outside of her traineeship, Elsie has an active role in the local community.

“I’ve represented Circus Oz Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Blak Flip program for four years now and I’ve been a face for their digital media/flyers. I also do volunteering helping prepare food for the homeless and helping job seekers outside of my work with their Resumes and job applications,” Elsie said.

ETC General Manager Training Karen Busby said that ETC was proud to help Trainees gain skills and a nationally recognised qualification while they work.

“We have been delivering traineeships for more than 20 years. This can be a great gap-year option and we offer the following benefits for our Trainees; availability to people of any age, combine training and employment, leave entitlements covered, opportunity for a career path or further study after completing their qualification, a nationally recognised qualification in Business, Childcare, Hospitality, Retail, Community Service.”

The 2019 North Coast & Mid North Coast Training Awards will be held on the 14th of June at Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour and is sponsored by ETC. The winners from this event will go onto the NSW Training Awards (State based event).

For more information about ETC’s Earn While You Learn program contact ETC’s Business Relationship Manager – Traineeships, Ingrid Johansen on 0447 162 970.