Grade 11 student Patricia Cole was eager to help support her family as she neared the end of her time in school.
With help from APM Employment Services and Busy at Work, the Rosella Park School student landed an apprenticeship at Gladstone's Savour the Flavour cafe.
Business owner Janelle Noonan has praised Patricia's start with the team and the support they all received to make a successful start.
Patricia registered with APM directly to see what help she could get to find work as an Early School Leaver.
- If you want to know more about registering with APM Employment Services or any of our programs, call our customer service team on 1800 276 276 or email support@apm.net.au
- If you're an employer looking for staff, see how your local APM team can help you find the right person for your business.
Read more from The Observer about Patricia's successful apprenticeship.
Pat rocks cafe service towards hospitality certificate
Hospitality trainee Patricia Cole is savouring the new-found independence to help her family she wants to support.
The Rosella Park School grade 11 student earned a traineeship with Savour the Flavour cafe and looked forward to spoiling her mum, Kelly.
"I can help pay bills to help my family and take my mum for a cruise,” Patricia said.
"My youngest sister Jeannie, I like to buy her presents as well.”
Business owner Janelle Noonan said this was a great opportunity for Patricia and she encouraged other employers to take on the initiative of giving these students a start in life.
"It started out as work experience once a week, then expanded the hours of employment and study for a Certificate II in Hospitality,” Janelle said.
"Patricia does the cutlery, biscuits, dishes, serves a few customers and kitchen duties.”
Patricia has been a welcome addition to the cafe team and might increase her work hours over the school holidays.
"(The staff) had a talk about Patricia coming on board and work here and we all agreed to it,” Janelle said.
Rosella Park School senior transition officer Angela Craze said the first-time employment initiative showed great potential.
"This is such an amazing opportunity and community partnership had been strong,” Angela said.
"Patricia is incredible, very capable, loves her job and looks forward to going to work.”
Angela said the support from Busy at Work, APM Employment Agency and Janelle had all been wonderful to get this venture to work.
"There are plenty of government programs to support these transitions of students to the workforce,” she said.