The organisation has recently taken on two Albany Senior High School (ASHS) Year 12 trainees who are contracted to ATC Work Smart for18 months while they complete their Certificate II in business.

Mikaela Galos and Tyler Gligorevic take time out from school on Thursdays to attend South Coast NRM’s Mercer Road offices – Tyler is providing administrative support to the cultural heritage team whilst Mikaela is assisting the business services department.

Encouraged by ASHS student services to gain work experience, the girls had no idea what to expect but both have been pleasantly surprised by their first taste of the workplace.

“I hadn’t considered a job in administration but when it was offered to me I thought it would be good to try and develop new skills,” Tyler said.

“Working with the cultural team has helped me gain a more mature approach to life and is enabling me to develop my communication and life skills,” she said.

“I’m also learning a lot about Noongar culture and am doing things which I never knew existed before like recording the minutes for meetings.”

Mikaela has been surprised by the diversity of work she is doing.

“In a few weeks I’ve learnt a huge amount about databases, how to use Microsoft Outlook and adopt a professional phone manner – I’m also very happy working in such a respectful environment,” Mikaela said.

“Work quality expectations are very high and there is a strong emphasis on getting things right, which is really rewarding,” she said.

South Coast NRM CEO Carl Beck is very happy with the girls’ smooth transition into the workplace.
“It’s great we can offer these training opportunities and engage with the younger generation,” Mr Beck said.

“South Coast NRM is committed to engaging with and supporting all sectors of the regional community and by providing employment and training opportunities for youth assists us too”.

South Coast NRM will be taking on more school-based trainees next year with the view to having one to two employed at Mercer Road each year.