Skip to content

Following recent changes to departmental responsibilities, functions of the former Department of Housing and Public Works have been transferred to new departments. Work is underway to develop and update departments' websites.

Traineeship provides a pathway for Jacinta and Liam

Published: 
22 September 2020 10:53AM

Jacinta’s traineeship changed her life. She’s a proud Gamilaroi woman living in Cairns and managing tenancy services in remote communities across Far North Queensland.

“It’s definitely led me to the workspace that I’m in today, where I’ve travelled to some of the most amazing remote and discrete communities, established relationships working on country, and in communities where English is the fifth, sixth language sometimes,” Jacinta says.

“Being surrounded by culture and cultural practices is just a really unique form of service delivery that I get to be part of here in Far North Queensland.”

Jacinta says her passion for her work is driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to safe and affordable housing. She is now a mentor to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees.

“It’s important to provide pathways for our Indigenous young people who may not have had those pathways identified for them, or felt it was a pathway they couldn’t engage in due to numerous obstacles in their lives,” she says.

“The traineeship is an opportunity to build up our mob and our communities and get some really great outcomes for our communities in the process.”

Liam is a housing officer in the Buranda Housing Service Centre in Brisbane and started as a trainee in Cairns three years ago.

“I finished school in 2016 and tried university. I enjoyed the content, but I wasn’t ready for the assessments and deadlines,” Liam says.

“I chose to do a traineeship with the department—it was something new where I could learn and grow.

“It’s taken me pretty great places so far.

“One of the main things I learned about myself was that I would rather a career that helps people.

“I would encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to do a traineeship like this, especially if they’re not 100 per cent sure on want to do with their future.”

John: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program I think is just a fantastic opportunity in working with a fantastic employer.

John: You get paid, you get exposure to all the government systems. It gives you all the support you need to be successful in your life.

Jacinta: The Department of Housing and Public Works is a great place to work.

Jacinta: My traineeship did change my life. My family fell on hard times. I grew up in housing, so then later to be able to engage through a traineeship was the best thing that I ever did.

Ryan: On a scale of one to ten, I would give it a ten, definitely, being that glad that I’ve done the traineeship.

Liam: I think the best thing about the traineeship was just the experiences, the people I got to meet.

Jacinta: I’ve travelled to some of the most amazing remote and discrete communities, established relationships, working on country.

Ryan: There’s definitely plenty of opportunities in the department to grow upwards and sidewards and just to give roles and positions a go.

Liam: The traineeship gives a chance for young people to learn new skills.

John: It’s just such a fantastic opportunity and incentive to get Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved so they can learn, and then earn, and benefit all their families, and all their extended families.

Jacinta: As an Indigenous person, I’m in the role that I am because of the privilege of having the opportunity to engage in a program like this.

Jacinta: So if you’re aged 16 to 25 and interested in igniting a passion for helping your mob and your community, then please go online and apply for one of our traineeships.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traineeships are funded through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Action Plan. Applications are now being accepted.

The traineeships offer mentoring, work experience and certificate qualifications in business administration, community services, information technology or social housing.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 16 to 25 years are encouraged to apply.

You can also watch: