“A traineeship is a stepping stone to wherever you want to go,” says business administration training graduate Samantha Johnson. During Samantha’s school years she spent very little time focusing on education and by the time she had decided to leave school at the age of 15, was still unable to effectively read and write. As a young woman who has had more than her share of personal obstacles and unstable family life, she is determined to make the future bright. Samantha believes that her determination to succeed and her never say no attitude have contributed to her being able to turn a potentially downward spiraling life into one of success. “My traineeship was a turning point for me. It improved my self-confidence, opened the door to a future career path and offered me an opportunity to turn my life around,” she states.
Winning the New Apprenticeship Trainee of the Year Award at the 2004 Australian Training Awards was a clear vindication that hard work, a positive attitude and a determination to succeed can help anyone, never mind where they start out in life. “It doesn’t matter how hard done by you might feel, there is always a way out – you just have to be willing to find out what it is,” declares Samantha.
Not one to rest on her laurels, the 23 year old has her mind fixed on the future. Keen to put back into the community that she believes has supported her through some difficult times, Samantha has it in her heart to use her administration skills and life experiences to assist other young people overcome the types of setbacks and personal difficulties that she has experienced. Having completed her Certificate 3 in Business Administration and now employed by the Mandurah Youth Commitment, she works to improve the education, training and employment outcomes of disadvantaged young people.
Samantha’s goal is to continue studying in 2005 and undertake a diploma in front line management and a Certificate 4 in Work Place Assessment and Training. A role model with a real life story, Samantha is passionate about her desire to help those less fortunate than herself. “When I see other young people pick themselves up and turn their lives around because of my story, then I will know that all the work that other people have put into me has paid off,” she says.
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