Souths Cares Barranggirra Program is supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander apprentices, trainees and learners to achieve their training and employment goals.
Participants include school-based trainees who have commenced training and employment whilst also completing their High School Certificate. Andreas Christian is one of two school-based trainees attending Cranbrook High School and receiving mentoring support through the Barranggirra initiative.
Andreas has a passion for the construction industry and commenced his traineeship in May 2021, successfully juggling his classroom learning, training and one day of employment per week with Scentre Group.
Andreas has developed his carpentry and administration skills to fast-track his career in the construction industry. The practical component of his school-based traineeship includes attending site inspections throughout Sydney, liaising with contractors and organizing casual labourers.
Andreas explained the mentoring support through Souths Cares has helped his education and training journey.
“The Barranggirra Program has worked well for me as the mentoring is tailored to my needs and career interests. My mentor has visited me at school regularly to keep me on track”, Andreas said.
Kain Hurst, Souths Cares Employment and Training Mentor has been working with Andreas for the past three months and believes Andreas has a big future ahead of him in the construction industry.
“Andreas is a very bright young man with plenty of potential. He has shown nothing but respect since coming into the program, always gives 100% when given a task and he is determined to achieve his goals in 2022”, Kain said.
Andreas’ goals for this year include completing his HSC, finishing his Traineeship, obtaining his Driver’s License and commencing a Carpentry Apprenticeship at the end of the Year.
The Barranggirra Program is supported by Training Services NSW. For more information, including referral information CLICK HERE.
