Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Lawson Connor is an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) of the Year Award finalist.
In brief:
- Gungahlin College student Lawson Connor is a national finalist at the 2024 Australian Training Awards.
- He has overcome health challenges and wants to become a paramedic.
- He hopes others are aware there are many career pathways.
A couple of years back, Lawson Connor was picked up from school by ambulance so often, he was on first-name terms with many paramedics.
He missed a whole term of year 9 at Gold Creek School. This was due to epilepsy-related health challenges.
One of seven children, Lawson says he pretty much grew up in hospital.
A proud Wiradjuri man, he is now 17 and at Gungahlin College. And tonight, he is a national finalist at the 2024 Australian Training Awards.
He is in the running for the Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) of the Year Award.
People from all over Canberra, and further afield, in Wiradjuri country, will cheer him on.
A turning point
If there was a turning point for Lawson, perhaps it was when he became vice-captain of Gold Creek School.
He led several initiatives and was a mentor for many. This included other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
A teacher encouraged Lawson to consider applying for an ASbA. He hasn’t looked back.
A clear career path
Lawson was inspired by the kindness he’d experienced in the health system. He had already decided to pursue a career in health care.
He was accepted into Indigenous Allied Health Australia’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy ASbA program.
Through this, he is completing a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33021) through CIT. He is doing this while finishing years 11 and 12.
The program has given him insights into career pathways in the health sector. He has also found clarity about his career goal.
“Through placements I’ve tried out different areas … physio, occupational therapy, aged care … it’s really helped me narrow it down, to paramedicine.”
“It would be such an honour to be able to provide emergency healthcare within the community, especially a rural or remote community, or a disadvantaged Indigenous community, where I could provide a level of cultural care and understanding.”
Lawson has also taken an online university class this year. It is part of an early entry program for Midwifery, Nursing and Paramedicine.
Well-deserved recognition
Today, Lawson’s health is much better. He has been also received several awards. These include:
- a Year 10 Excellence Award
- the ACT ASbA of the Year Award, ACT Training Awards
- an Exceptional Young Person Award, ACT Children’s Week Awards
- the flagship Children’s Commissioner Award, ACT Children’s Week Awards.
Advice for others
Lawson hopes other students may be inspired by his journey to consider alternative pathways.
It worries him that a lot of his friends are stressed about getting a high-enough ATAR.
“I want a lot of people to know that ATAR isn’t the only option to get into a university or have a successful life,” he said. “There are so many avenues.”
Lawson recommends talking to careers teachers at school about available pathways.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, there are dedicated programs and supports to consider.
“There are so many opportunities out there,” Lawson said.
“If you really want to do something, pursue it. You can achieve it.”
Find out more about the ASbA program on the ACT Education website.
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