“It’s definitely something you should try and get involved with. An
apprenticeship provides such a strong support system while you’re working and
studying and there are so many benefits that you may not find elsewhere.”
We probably all know someone who has ventured overseas and across the globe
before returning home to settle into a career. For Kate Webster, travelling and
working overseas after finishing high school wasn’t just a break before starting
work or more study - it launched a new career goal. “It was an amazing
experience that led me into the travel and tourism industry” she says.
Kate is an apprentice and TAFE student these days and her choices have allowed
her to not only study to prepare for her career in tourism and travel, but also
work at the same time in a travel agency.
Kate works for San Michele Travel agency in Sydney. “We are a retail travel
agency dedicated to creating the best holiday experience possible for all of our
clients. With over 40 years’ experience in the travel industry, the staff and
management here are experts in what they do.”
“During the week I work in reception and documentation for San Michele, then at
nights and on weekends I’m completing my certificates in travel and tourism
online through TAFE NSW.”
Although Kate’s routine would be considered a tough workload by some, it’s what
she boasts about. “There is nothing that I would change about my apprenticeship.
It has all run very smoothly so far. Both the Australian Apprenticeship Centre
(AAC) and San Michele Travel have been very helpful and supportive. Doing an
apprenticeship through the AAC has been one of the best decisions I’ve made so
far.”
So how did Kate make the decision to do an apprenticeship rather than just
studying to learn about the industry? A representative from AAC went out to
visit Kate and her employer at their office, “The AAC has a very good reputation
and after one of their representatives explained what an apprenticeship involved
I applied straight away. It means I can work full time and gain important
experience, study to become fully qualified, and get the financial assistance I
need while I’m living away from home,” says Kate. Now that’s determination to
get skilled up! Kate also thinks the process to sign up was “very simple and
easy”.
For Kate, it’s also important to be in a supportive apprenticeship because she’s
living away from home. “The AAC understands how hard day-to-day living can be
for students. They provide a living away from home allowance for people who are
forced to move away from home because they travel over an hour and a half per
day and also arrange for student concession cards. This is a huge help for
struggling students.” Kate says all this and “the opportunity to work and study
at the same time has been fantastic.”
So what’s in Kate’s future now? “I’m very lucky to already be employed within
the travel industry. Hopefully on completion of my apprenticeship I’ll be
qualified to move up through the different levels of the company and perhaps
even get the opportunity to work overseas again.” And with such a positive
experience to share, it’s no wonder Kate is encouraging others to get involved -
“It’s definitely something you should try and get involved with. An
apprenticeship provides such a strong support system while you’re working and
studying and there are so many benefits that you may not find elsewhere.”
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