Makiah studied ATAR subjects last year while also doing a school based traineeship in Years 11 and 12 at the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, neatly managing the exciting challenge.
“I definitely had to prioritise, have good organisational skills and communicate well with both work and my teachers to manage everything,” says Makiah.
She completed her traineeship last August and says the experience gave her confidence particularly in dealing with people and being in the work environment.
“When I started I was worried that people would immediately expect me to know things but the support from the team was amazing,” she says. “That surprised me the most – I didn't expect to have the relationships and network that I have now.”
Her manager Belinda Wilkinson is proud of Makiah’s achievements at school and at work.
“This is such a great program,” says Belinda. “Makiah gained great hands on experiences which made her really stand out in the field of applicants when we were recruiting, and now she’s working full time in our payroll team.
“It’s a great investment in young people – they’re our future.”
Applications for the School Based Traineeship Program 2025-26 are open from 1 July to 7 August 2024. Trainees commence in February 2025.
