Kitana’s Story

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“A traineeship through Work & Training is one of the best ways to really get your foot in the door.”

– Kitana Mansell – Business Trainee, Macquarie Point Development Corporation

Kitana Mansell is currently studying a Certificate III in Business at Macquarie Point Development Corporation.

As a proud young Aboriginal woman, Kitana jumped at the opportunity to combine a qualification with the opportunity to learn more about her culture.

“I was in Year 12 and I came across Work & Training. I spoke with one of the Consultants, Kylie, about starting a traineeship and she told me about an Aboriginal traineeship happening at Macquarie Point. I thought I’d take the opportunity and see how it goes. I wasn’t expecting to get the job, but I’m here now and loving it.”

Once her qualification is complete, Kitana feels she will be a step ahead in building her planned career.

“A traineeship through Work & Training is one of the best ways to really get your foot in the door” she says.

“Aboriginal culture is also known as the longest-lasting culture in the world. My long-term career goal is to really get my generation involved and help people to understand this. I think being in a business, and learning what it’s like to work in government is a really important start to where I’d like to be.”

Kitana’s transition from college student to business trainee was made easier through the support offered by Work & Training.

“Going from college into a workplace is quite nerve-wracking, so getting that support from Work & Training has been really helpful” Kitana explains.

“You’ve always got someone to talk to; they make sure that you’re feeling good and want to come into work every single day – it’s really important to have that.”

Kitana was pleasantly surprised by the kinds of work she has been involved with as a business trainee at Macquarie Point.

“At the start, I thought it was just going to be a reception job. I’ve realised that there are so many more elements to working as a business trainee” she says.

“I’ve been able to do some media and really get the word out about what we’re doing here – getting the edible precinct open to the public, or letting people know about the native and exotic plants used as part of reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. I think it’s really awesome to be able to start learning about my culture, as well as working with other Aboriginal organisations.”

A real highlight of Kitana’s traineeship was showing her Consultant how far she had come since starting at Macquarie Point.

“Showing Kylie the edible precinct that we have at Macquarie Point – being able to share the knowledge and skills that I’ve learned has just been awesome, to see how proud she was of me and just how much I’ve learned during my traineeship.”

Kitana Mansell – Business Trainee, Macquarie Point Development Corporation

Want to know where a Certificate III or IV in Business can take you? Work & Training can help you find a course to suit your career goals.