Learning about the types of jobs that make the region's largest shopping centre tick was all part of the fun for a group of Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve customer engagement students this week.
Dream, Believe, Achieve is funded by the Queensland Department of Education and Training and provides disadvantaged job seekers with accredited training and a qualification, one-on-one assistance and support from a skilled Cowboys mentor, and help in securing work experience and employment at the completion of training.
Six program participants working towards their Certificate III in Customer Engagement went behind-the-scenes at Stockland Townsville as part of the Queensland Government's 'Skilling Queenslanders for Work' initiative.
“Stockland have been on board right from the beginning of the program,” Cowboys mentor Albey Reuben said.
“Not only did they help students through the orientation to the centre and the types of job opportunities available, they're also working with their contractors and retail tenants to identify work experience and job opportunities for participants.
“The work experience component is particularly important in giving participants the opportunity to put into practice what they have learnt in the classroom and to demonstrate their skills to potential employers.”
Stockland Townsville marketing manager Danelle Parker said that the centre was proud to support the Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve program.
"It's a great initiative and we have seen first-hand the positive impact the program has on the students,” she said.
Main image: Dream, Believe, Achieve students with Stockland Townsville operations manager Tony D’Amico