How This Trainee Got His Head Start

When we talk to companies about the benefits of hiring a trainee, the focus is generally on what the trainee can do for the business. But there’s another side to the story. The opportunities for the trainee are often challenging, regularly positive and always life-changing.

And no one tells it better than a trainee.

Hi WorkVentures!

Just thought I would email you some positive feedback about my experience as a WorkVentures trainee.

When I finished school, plans with the Army had been delayed and I didn’t like school so University wasn’t an option. I consider myself very lucky that I found the advertisement on SEEK for the traineeship spot.

I started in the Connect IT Call Centre

 On my first day I was nervous as I listened to everyone else take calls because I didn’t know anybody and they all sounded very experienced with computers. Everyone knew exactly what they were doing and I could not envision myself sounding like them at all. I had gone into the job with hardly any idea about computers. But Damien, Mitchell and Tom were very supportive and on the second day I was taking sales calls. Not long after that I was doing tech calls and learning on the spot. It was challenging but very rewarding. I made plenty of mistakes but you were expected to learn from them and I feel that I did.

After six months there, I moved to my host employer

They were an IT company in the city. I left the call centre feeling confident with how much I knew but at this new job I was back at square one. There were many responsibilities and new roles to learn and it was a test for my communication skills. The other trainee there, Jye, was an excellent teacher and we are still mates today. Our boss, Herc, was often busy with the business so Jye and I typically operated as a team until I reached the point where I could function competently by myself. This took time as it was a complex job but it was a positive experience. I enjoyed this job because I felt even more independent – it was not often that I started the day knowing exactly where I was going to be all day, due to the need to travel to clients from time to time.

The online study for the Certificate III was also enjoyable at times. My favourite component was the web design unit. Walter was a good teacher and provided plenty of feedback.

My next steps

I am pleased to tell you that I have just started studying at UTS this year. My course is a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Diploma in Information Technology Professional Practice. I can confidently say that I did not have the HSC marks to make it into the course and that my year’s work experience and Certificate III was what got me a spot!

As with anything, not every day during the traineeship was perfect. Some days were long, some days were tough and some days I would have to take responsibility for mistakes I had made. Like most people, I’m not even 100% sure what I will end up doing in the future, but my time with WorkVentures was the best start I think I could have had. So I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity.

Regards,

Jack

Do you have a vacancy for an entry level position?

Why spend time and expense recruiting and training when we can take care of it all? We handle a range of roles including Business and IT. Call us and let’s talk. Phone 02 89073300 or email [email protected]