This month we are showcasing some of the great practical opportunities that are opening up for local students. From writing resumes, to taking blood pressure and heading off to Duntroon, local students are embracing the opportunities that the Tamworth Opportunity Hub is creating.
Our Opportunity Hub Caseworker Patrick is a proud new dad (again) to a handsome new son - Alec. We would like to send a big welcome to Alec, a brother to Bowen and Kade, and a big congratulations to Patrick and Amy on your new arrival.
Healthy Learning Opportunities
The Tamworth Opportunity Hub arranged a week of work experience for McCarthy Catholic College Year 11 student Hannah Cochrane at the Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre this week. Hannah’s interest in Aboriginal Health was identified through her aspirations interview with Hub staff and she was linked with the Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre which has a focus on Aboriginal women’s and baby’s health.
Hannah’s week has involved assisting staff facilitate and make recordings of a Doll Making workshop with community members and Elders, passing on knowledge and stories through yarning while making rag dolls that reflect important memories or experiences; learning about pathology collection; assisting with community recruitment to the Gomeroi Gaaynggal program through ante-natal clinic visits and presentations; taking blood pressures; learning about data and sample collection and record keeping processes; and taking part in the Ultrasound clinic and nutrition interviews.
Hannah received some great positive feedback from the Gomeroi Gaaynggal staff who said “what a pleasure it was working with such an enthusiastic young person who showed so much interest in what we do at our centre”, and that “she would be an asset to any working team and shows a real interest in Indigenous health”.
The Tamworth Opportunity Hub is proud to have set up this experience opportunity for Hannah and hopes to develop other opportunities with Gomeroi Gaaynggal in the future. Any students with an interest in health career pathways are invited to contact the Hub staff on (02) 6766 9028.
First Look Army Initiative 2015
Six students from three local high schools headed off on a big adventure to the 2015 Army First Look Initiative this week. There was certainly a buzz of excitement at the airport as the group were leaving with the boys chatting about career aspirations as diverse as being an Officer-in-training to a Bush Master diesel mechanic to just exploring the opportunities and the fitness levels necessary for the training.
Jacob, Luke, Cody, Tom, Will and Patrick will travel with LALC Chair, Harry Cutmore, to the event this year and will get a first hand experience of Army life and the career opportunities available. Not only will the students get a tour of the training base and be introduced to personnel from a range of careers within the Army, they will get to take part in some of the physical challenges for trainees including an over water obstacle course and physical training regimes. Good luck guys! We are looking forward to hearing your stories on your return!
Resume Training Commences
Resume and career training has begun in schools as part of the Opportunity Hub's focus on developing students' skills as they pursue their chosen pathways. A number of sessions have been run with McCarthy students to date with the program rolling out in other schools over the next month. Students from year 8 to year 12 discussed some of the foundations of career knowledge and key aspects of gaining employment such as resume writing and interview skills. Relieving Opportunity Hub Caseworker Tarran Snape said that the students were engaged, open-minded, and keen to learn about how they might take their first steps towards a career over the coming years.
The Opportunity Hub office has been getting a little makeover... enough to inspire any student and launch them into their dream career.
What our partners are saying about the Opportunity Hub:
"Any community days we have on, the [Opportunity Hub staff] are always here and happy to help and basically they are part of our school community and that's a real bonus for us...
"The minute they are in the school they've got the respect and they've got the trust because they've already built those relationships...
"It is just a massive achievement for our [ED] children to be up there on that stage shaking a leg which would not have happened without the Opportunity Hub."
- Simon Taylor, Hillvue School
"The Opportunity Hub has done a fantastic job building rapport with the young people within the schools and helping them, they are fantastic role models... and having someone that they [students] can rely on and trust and look up to works in really well with the Dreams and Aspirations program." - Bree Constable, Headspace
We are working with the Opportunity Hub to help source some suitable applicants [for our school-based traineeships], and why we are doing that is because we know the great support of the Opportunity Hub, that if any of the participants are successful in gaining a school-based traineeship that they are going to be well supported through that program. - Jason Smith, Aboriginal Employment Strategy
The Tamworth Opportunity Hub coordinates and matches training and career opportunities with Aboriginal students, providing incentives to finish school and transition into sustainable jobs.
Tamworth Opportunity Hub can be contacted at: Address: 123 Marius Street, TAMWORTH NSW 2340 Phone: (02) 6766 9028; Fax: (02) 6766 9036 Email:admin@opphubtamworth.com.au Facebook: Opportunity Hub Tamworth or via the link below
