Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Cyrus completed a full-time traineeship working at the ACT Education Directorate within the Careers and Vocational Pathways Unit.
Embarking on an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) provided Cyrus Wren with a rich variety of work opportunities.
He ultimately landed a rewarding full-time job in the public service.
To top it off Cyrus was named Trainee of the Year at the 2023 ACT Training Awards and was runner up at the 2023 Australian Training Awards.
In high school, Cyrus was unsure what he wanted to do next – he just knew he wanted a quick start to a good career that would pay him well.
He did some research and began an ASbA, then completed a full-time traineeship working at the ACT Education Directorate within the Careers and Vocational Pathways Unit.
He studied a Diploma in Project Management and now works as a Vocational Learning Programs Coordinator within the Directorate, supporting the kind of training he completed.
Building on his experience, Cyrus now manages administrative processes, develops internal and external publications, liaises with stakeholders, supports school staff, attends career events and presents to students.
“Through my ASbA I developed a passion for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector which I was working in, and was helping me re-engage with school, so I wanted to help strengthen that as much as I could,” Cyrus said.
“I was lucky enough to be offered the traineeship and I accepted.”
He said the process of applying for both the ASbA and the traineeship was seamless and he enjoyed both.
“My traineeship experience was overall extremely positive for me. A highlight was that I was given the opportunity to go out to ACT public schools and do presentations to students, informing them of the different pathways that are available to them outside of university. Most commonly explaining the benefits of an ASbA and how they can use that during their career journey, how they can use that in combination with a potential university pathway, whatever it may be for them,” he said.
“I received amazing mentoring support from my colleagues which really helped reaffirm that I was in the right spot. I also had lots of support from my GTO. I had all the support I needed to face any challenges that may have come up.”
Cyrus’s goals include continuing to work with the VET sector over the next five years.
He hopes to complete a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to one day facilitate and deliver VET qualifications.
“A long-term ambitious goal of mine is to one day open my own GTO or Registered Training Organisation, or both, and support mature-aged people who want to re-enter the workforce, upskill or change careers. There is a lot of focus, support and financial assistance to help young people but there is a forgotten demographic, being older people, and I want to help support them the best that I can,” he said.
Like Cyrus, you can follow your own VET path in an industry that interests you.
Learn more by visiting the Skills ACT website
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