Two young Indigenous locals have kicked off new careers with the help of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys.
Adrian Ross and Matilda Billy were today celebrating gaining their first real jobs at the Cowboys Leagues Club after successfully completing the Toyota Cowboys’ Learn to Earn program.
“Cowboys Learn to Earn is about giving unemployed Indigenous young people the opportunity to get skills and qualifications that local employers are looking for,” Cowboys community relations manager Fiona Pelling said.
“Our Indigenous mentors support the students all the way through and the work experience component gives them exposure to the workplace and local employers.”
On hand to thank the Cowboys Leagues Club and congratulate their new employees was Cowboys NRL squad member Joel Riethmuller.
“It can be tough when you’re trying to break into the workforce like these guys have just been able to do," he said.
“Just like in football, you need the skills, the experience and the right attitude to get a position on the team.
“You also need the opportunity to prove yourself and the Leagues Club has done that, so thanks have to go to them for giving these guys a chance.”
A group of 21 young people is currently completing work experience in a range of workplaces around the city, following each participant's completion of their training for a Certificate III in Hospitality.
Adrian and Matilda are the first from the group to be offered work.
“Adrian and Matilda did their work experience with us,” Cowboys Leagues Club general manager Clint Williams said.
“We were impressed with what they had learned in the course and their attitude on the job, so we knew they would be a good addition to the club.”
Matilda said that being offered a job at the Leagues Club was exactly what she had hoped for when she started in Learn to Earn.
“I wasn’t sure that I was going to be able to get through the training but the Cowboys' mentors, Pam and Pat, gave me fantastic support and help when I needed it,” she said.
