Trainee Profiles

Kununurra Office: Ph: 08 9168 3808

Email: Reception@kgt.org.au

Pathway Press

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Heloise Parker HOST EMPLOYER: Kimberley Training Institute Qualification: Certificate II in Business

By Landi Bradshaw

Field officer

Gavin Smith HOST EMPLOYER: Kimberley Land Council Qualification: Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management

Issue 59 - March 2016

Heloise was born and bred in Kununurra WA. After having some time off work to raise a child a traineeship was a great way to re-enter the workforce. Heloise commenced a Certificate II in Business traineeship at Kimberley Training Institute on the 16th of October 2015. Heloise states that her traineeship was challenging yet rewarding and that her co workers are very supportive and understanding.

Heloise said that her favourite part about her traineeship was that her jobs takes her out of her comfort zone and challenges her to grow in this industry. Heloise would like to continue further studies at a higher level.

“ KGT is a perfect way for people to explore any employment opportunities associated with apprenticeships or traineeships. KGT also have experienced staff that are very supportive and helpful”.

Broome Office:Broome Ph: 08 9192 8877

Email: Broomerecep2@kgt.org.au

Farewell John...

This newsletter marks the end of an era for KGT with the departure of John Gummery from the role of CEO.

John arrived at KGT in November 2002, when KGT was a small organisation centred in Kununurra with a small caseload of apprentices and trainees and an even smaller team of dedicated and hardworking staff; an organisation heavily dependent on grant funding and CDEP funds in particular. John brought with him a wealth of Group Training experience that was previously lacking at KGT. With his knowledge and leadership, combined with the great staff at KGT, John was able to build the organisation up to a point where it employed more than 300 participants, just prior to the global economic crash that also impacted employment in this region. John also oversaw the cessation of CDEP through KGT and a shift toward genuine employment outcomes where host employers were fully engaged with the training and career development of the trainees and apprentices.

As KGT achieved successes in the East Kimberley, John sought to expand the organisations reach into the West Kimberley and this resulted in KGT establishing an office in Broome from which the organisation could service the West Kimberley region.

John’s greatest dream for KGT though was to develop its own premises that enabled not just the management of apprentices and trainees, but also the ability to develop and run programs that helped disadvantaged people bridge the gap between unemployment and a career. It took more than 5 years of planning, discussions, meetings, funding applications, development and building applications and a lot of hard work, but in 2014, John achieved his goal. The KGT Skills Centre will always stand as a testament to John’s vision and determination.

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Gavin Smith works with the Gooniyandi Rangers in Fitzroy Crossing and has been a valuable member of their team for a number of years. Gavin recently completed his Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management and is now starting his Certificate III.

Gavin has recently been appointed as the Safety representative for the Gooniyandi Rangers.

Gavin is an all-around top bloke and will go out of his way to assist newer Rangers on the team.

By Renae Massa

Field officer

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On a personal note, I have taken great inspiration from working with John since the early days in November 2002. I have always admired his commitment to the goals and staff of KGT. John has created a great culture within KGT, evidenced by the fact that more than 25% of the current staff have been with KGT for more than 6 years. This makes the transition into the role of CEO so much easier when there is a great team of staff who know their roles already.

Despite all of John’s achievements, the thing we will miss most around the office are the stories of how he has lost his phone, keys, wallets or luggage;how he has become stranded on deserted islands; his car has broken down; the trains he catches have caught fire; the planes he travels on have had emergencies before they’ve even taken off; or the myriad of other mini-disasters that seem to plague him whenever he has to travel away from home.

I wish John all the best for his future and I look forward to the new opportunities that await KGT in the coming year.

By the time this edition of KGT’s newsletter is published, Ian Warrener will have taken over the position of Chief Executive Officer of KGT. Ian has been with KGT for over seven years in the capacity of Operation and Finance Manager. He is a very skilled individual and I believe he will take the organisation into the future and I wish him well. I will be staying on with KGT for a period of time to assist Ian into his new role and to help out where ever needed.

In reflecting on what KGT has achieved over the past thirteen years, I have no hesitation in saying that I am proud to have had the honour to head up an organisation that continues to create opportunities for the youth of the region through career pathways. The organisation has been challenged on many occasions, however these have been met head on by the KGT Committee and staff. We continue to defy the odds.

From a small organisation of four staff and 40 participants in 1997, to 20 staff and a consistent 160 apprentice and trainees in 2015 of whom 82% are Indigenous; from renting an office in Kununurra, to owning its own Skills Centre and having an office in Broome… KGT has come a long way.

We could not have achieved what we have without the support of local industries, businesses, training providers, community providers and the wider community. I sincerely thank you all for your support over the years and encourage you to continue to support the youth of the region.

I must acknowledge the Department of Training and Workforce Development and the Federal Government for their support, however recently the Federal Government Policy decisions in my opinion, have restricted good not-for-profit organisations from achieving greater outcomes. Their new policies around employment and training are not working and they need to change.

KGT is extremely fortunate to have a team of very passionate staff. Many have been with the organisation for a number of years. It has been a privilege to work with a committed group of individuals that have passion and commitment to helping others.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge and thank the many people that have assisted me personally over the past thirteen years. In particular my family who supported Pauline and I in our move to the Kimberley 13 years ago, we both acknowledge this period of our lives was one of the most enjoyable and exciting but it is now time to enjoy the company of our children, family and our six grandchildren.

Thank you!!!!!

From the Field...

What a busy few months it has been! Just because it was the Xmas break doesn’t mean things slowed down for Field Officers at KGT.

In November 2015 Brendon Macale and Montana Ah Won both attended their TAFE training blocks at KTI in Broome. Montana is completing a Certificate II in Hospitality and Brendon our apprentice chef is completing his Certificate III in Commercial Cookery. They both assisted at the White Ribbon Ball function at Broome’s Civic Centre, Brendon in the kitchen and Montana serving. This was a great experience and gave both of them exposure to how a large scale function runs. We received great feedback from the lecturers who were most impressed with their efforts.

Branden Webb completed his apprenticeship on the 5th of November! Branden now has his trade certificate as a Heavy Automotive Technician and has gained his Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology [Heavy Vehicle Mobile Equipment]. Branden commenced his apprenticeship when he was just 15 years old in 2012. It has been a long road to get through the challenges that most young people face in an apprenticeship. He persevered and has now completed his trade! Well done Branden. big thanks to JSW in Kununurra for the on the job training and employment and Polytechnic West in Perth for the off the job training.

I have recently signed up 5 VTEC participants in Halls Creek. This includes 3 Administration Assistants at Yura Yungi Medical Centre as well as 2 Administration Assistants at East Kimberley Job Pathways. This will be a great way to build strong relationships with local Halls Creek business through offering mentoring and support as well as funding from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet going back into local business.

I would like to congratulate Heloise Parker on commencing a Certificate II in Business traineeship at Kimberley Training Institute in Kununurra. Heloise has only been in this role since October but has certainly made an impression! I constantly receive positive feedback from KTI staff members on her efforts in the office.

Our only remaining Certificate III in Aviation [Ground Operations & Service] trainee, Jonas Stoldt, is powering through his traineeship! He has completed study throughout the year as well as excelling with his on-the-job assessments completed by his lecturer, Fiona Dwyer from KTI.

Warmun local Marvyn Thomas has just reached the half way mark in his apprenticeship! He has now been working at Savannah Nickel Mine towards his Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology for 1 year and 9 months. It’s into the home strech from here and I am excited to see Marvyn’s career development over the next few years.

I am also very happy to announce that Cylia Tait/Banks has completed her Certificate II in Business. It has been a tough journey at times however she made it to the end and I am I very proud of her persistence and determination. Well done Cylia.

By Ian Warrener

By Landi Bradshaw

Field Officer

From John Gummery...

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Kimberley Training Institute Lecturer Jenessa Phillips will be working closely with Sophia on a regular basis to develop her aptitude and knowledge while letting her build her required skills in the workplace.

I am sure Sophia will take it in her stride and I am super confident that she will excel. Sophia was able to undertake her Safety Induction and KGT induction paperwork plus her Australian Apprentice sign-up, in world record time.(2 hours flat). This girl is a CEO in the making.

In the 1990’s the Federal government passed a law making it compulsory for all employers to contribute a percentage of all employees’ gross wages to a superannuation fund for their old age/retirement . Today the percentage is 9.5% of gross ordinary wages.

You can see the amount of superannuation that has been contributed to your fund on your payslip every fortnight. Your contribution details are on the top right hand corner of your payslip, just above your annual leave hours balance.

By Bronwyn Read

Senior Finance officer

By Spencer Lim Joon

Field Officer

Sophia Rose Birch has secured herself a traineeship in Community services at the Wyndham Early Learning Activities Centre.

The Centre was designed with a focus on family participation in developing young children so they are school ready.

This is an exciting time for Sophia as she is about to commence her new work and study life.

On the 8th February KGT in partnership with KTI started a Hospitality and Tourism pre-employment program. Field Office Kevin Smith has been talking to the Tourism and Hospitality industry in Broome and has received job commitments from 8 companies offering up to 18 positions in retail operations , resort opportunities and tour company positions. With referrals from Kimberley Employment Service we started the program on Monday February 22 with 15 candidates enrolled.

The program runs for 7 weeks concluding on the 7th April with a Hospitality/Tourism Industry Presentation Evening held at the Pearlers Shed. The evening will see the students showcasing their skills serving food and refreshments and meeting key players from the Hospitality and Tourism industries. While this is all going on we will have a Powerpoint presentations on the big screen from KGT, KTI and Madalah, the local employment related accommodation organisation. We will also be making a short video presenting the journey the students have made to get to this point.

We are all excited about the opportunities that this pre-employment program can deliver and with the support of the industry the future looks bright for the students.

Field Officer

Rene Harbers

Field Officer

Kevin Smith

Firstly welcome to a new beginning, a new year and a new era! Kimberley Group Training has a very exciting year planned and is expecting some big changes!

Secondly Kimberley Group Training would like to give a warm welcome to our new Operations Manager, Richard Owen who will be based in our Broome office. KGT staff are excited to work closely with Richard and hope he enjoys his new role. We would also like to welcome Tehanna Fraser. Tehanna is KGT’s new face of the Receptionist/Administration Assistant position in Kununurra and will be undertaking a Certificate II in Business Traineeship through Kimberley Training Institute

Kimberley Group Training is honoured to have you both on board!

We would like to congratulate all the participants in successfully completing the Building and Construction Pre-Employment Course that was enjoyed over 12 weeks.

They have now learned great grounding skills that will help them with their career paths in the Building and Construction Industry.

Congratulations to all of the 8 particpiants, Lloyd Wilridge, Peter Bonney, John Butters-Copley, Keilan Davey, Bevan Button, Michael Hunter, Henry Garvey and Murray Gordon in taking on and participating in extra units in Carpentry and Welding over the last 3 weeks at KTI in Broome.

We look forwad to seeing these fellas starting their apprenticeships with KGT in the near future.

Left to right: Peter Bonney, Ali Bin Sali, Andrew Fitzsimmons, Keilan Davey, Jack Chalmers, Henry Garvey, Lloyd Wilridge, Bevan Button, Murray Gordon,

Russell Ternes, John Butters and Mary Zbierski-west

Visit our Facebook page for more stories about KGT’s apprentices and trainees.

Website: www.kgt.org.au

https://www.facebook.com/KimberleyGroupTraining

or visit our website:

From the field... Welcome on Board! From the field...

What is Superannuation?Pre-employment program...

Trainee Dominic Baxter is a successful VTEC participant and an Engineer in training.

He works for an impressive company in Kununurra, Ord Irrigation Cooperative.

This year Dominic Baxter will be undertaking a Certificate III in Horticulture with Lecturer Tony Wells from Kimberley Training Institute.

KGT, Ord Irrigation Cooperative and KTI are looking forward to this joint effort in honing the next generation of Kimberley Men.

Good Luck!

Photo. KGT CEO John Gummery and Kyliam Boombi

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This will be my last newsletter article as the Operations Manager. I have been in this role since July 2007 and thought it might be a good time to look back over the changes KGT has been through in that time.

2007 was a reasonable year in the Kimberley, with the economy being fairly buoyant. This changed how-ever soon after with the arrival of the Global Financial Crisis. The economies of the region then rebound-ed on the back of the Federal and State Governments investment in Ord Stage 2, as well as the prospects surrounding Woodside’s potential development north of Broome. However these were only temporary and the economy is currently in a lull since the completion of Ord Stage 2’s construction as well as the Woodside decision not to proceed with a land based processing plant north of Broome.

Both boom and bust cycles have an impact on local employers, which filters down to the employment of apprentices and trainees.Consequently, the number of KGT apprentices and trainees peaked at near the 300 mark prior to the GFC, and has since dropped to consistently employing 150 participants in traineeships and apprenticeships.

Since July 2007, KGT has employed over 550 apprentices, almost 1,000 trainees, more than 250 school-based trainees; plus has engaged over 900 participants in Year 10 work-readiness programs, pre-employment and literacy programs, labour hire and VTEC programs. All in all, that is a significant amount of work and a major impact on addressing the skills needs in the region, while helping our candidates to break out of the welfare and poverty cycle many would have been caught in prior to commencing employment with KGT.

Outcomes during that time have been reasonable, however we are always striving to improve these for the benefit of all in the region. Since July 2007, more than 130 apprentices have completed their trades with KGT, 300 trainees have completed and 50 school-based trainees have graduated with a Certificate II qualification and their WACE. A significant number of employees who do not complete their initial training contract with KGT, go onto further employment or education regardless, so while these do not show in the figures, they are nonetheless an outcome for both the employee and the region.

The same timeframe has seen many public policy changes, especially at Federal level with the changes between Liberal and Labor and then back to Liberal again, let alone with the changes within the parties resulting in 6 changes in Prime Minister. The changes, some-what influenced by the GFC, have seen significant cutbacks in Government spending. Most notably, the apprentice incentive scheme was overhauled by Labor and then basically scrapped by Liberal and replaced with a loan scheme. This has impacted on employers with reduced subsidies for the employment of apprentices and trainees, in particular the reduction in mature apprentice funding from $13,500 to $4,000. We have seen the demise of CDEP, only to be revived in recent months as CDP. This is somewhat ironic as the “E” stood for Employment, so it makes you wonder what the Government’s real agenda is with welfare funding in the remote regions if Employment is not the goal. We have also seen the STEPS program evolve into the IEP, then IAS, which has become inaccessible for KGT. Ultimately, have seen the Federal Government scrap funding for Group Training, which has been the underpinning funding on which KGT has based its model.

On the positive side, KGT became one of the trial organisations to deliver the VTEC program, which has been hugely successful for KGT, so much so that the Hon Alan Tudge MP indirectly described KGT as “the best performing VTEC in the country” in his media release on the cashless welfare card. The Western Australia Department of Training and Workforce Development also stepped up its support of KGT, essentially replacing the lost funding from the Federal Government. This is particularly important to KGT as it signifies the impor-tance of Kimberley Group Training to the state’s employment and training goals.

Finally, the past 8 years have been a roller coaster for KGT, however we appear to be emerging from a particularly difficult 3 years and are set to take on the new challenges that will come our way in the next 3 years. I look forward to working with the community to meet these challenges and to developing new opportunities for both KGT and the region.

By Ian Warrener

New Year. New challenges. The KGT Skills Centre team are working hard to make the most of existing and potential opportunities in 2016.

Looking to fill the demand of various industries for qualified workers, our Skills Centre team have been working on the development of a wealth of pre-employment programs to take off this year. Plus, we have been actively seeking to strengthen and develop ongoing and new partnerships with employers in the region.

Meanwhile, the opening of the Kununurra Airport Café certainly brings positive winds of change. The successful lease of the Kununurra Airport Café by KGT represents a major milestone for our organisation as well as the whole East Kimberley community. Not only does it bring an exciting opportunity for our Hospitality program participants to put their skills into practice, but it also showcases the work that KGT does to all visitors to the Airport and the local community alike.

Speaking of Hospitality, Two months into the program and our team has already achieved 1 successful employment outcome. Congratulations to Amanda Wilson on landing a Customer Service role at Coles Supermarkets. Positive achievements such as these certainly keep our team motivated and driven to succeed further.

To put the icing on the cake, we would like to welcome Charmaine Johnson into the role of Skills Centre Mentor. Charmaine is a positive role model to the East Kimberley youth and will be working alongside Charlene Narrier to inspire and engage program participants. We now have a tight-knit Skills Centre team and we have been working closely with KGT Field Officers to ensure that participants undergo a smooth transition to employment.

Our team are confident this will be a year of challenges and rewards, and we look forward to seeing what lies ahead in the coming months. So roll on 2016!

By Caroline Constant

Skills Centre Coordinator

The inside scoopKGT Skills Centre gears up for an exciting 2016

From the Field...Yawuru Country Managers have joined the KGT VTEC family and they have been completing some interesting surveys out on country, including learning to set remote camera traps. They have captured some fantastic photos of the local wildlife on the camera traps set in different locations on Yawuru Country, including the very rarely seen Bilby. The country managers have even seen a bilby and goanna (Jarlangardi) sharing a burrow together.

The team have also been working closely with the Yawuru language centre (Mabu Yawuru Ngan-ga) spending important time on Country with elders learning about, language, culture, dance and song knowledge transfer for Yawuru people.

Yawuru Country Managers have many projects that they are also working on, including some where the team will be learning new skills in different machinery such as skid steer, loaders and much more. 2016 is going to be an exciting year for the Country Mangers and KGT is looking forward to working with you all.

Thank you Yawuru Country Managers for all your hard work in our beautiful community.