Students of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys’ Dream, Believe, Achieve program have finished their training by showing off their new hospitality skills, teaming up with Selectability to cater a special morning tea and give back to the local community.
Following the intensive 10-week hospitality training program, 12 Dream, Believe, Achieve participants put their weeks of theory and practical learning to the test at Selectability's new Mental Health Hub in the Townsville CBD.
The group, who are now fully qualified and job-ready with their Certificate III in Hospitality, prepared and served food and tea and coffee to Selectability's valued clients under the guidance of program mentors.
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Dream, Believe, Achieve mentor Albey Rueben said DBA participants had all previously undertaken individual work experience, with the Selectability morning tea offering a unique opportunity to work together as a cohort.
"These guys from day one came in green, not knowing too much about the hospitality industry, so this is a great time for them to prove to themselves and each other that as a team they can put on an event like this," he said.
"This is what I love about the program, you meet them in the first two weeks and don't get boo out of them, but to come in on the last day and see them full of confidence, and the group cohesion, is a great way to end the 10-week program.
"It's a good team building exercise, and it just shows these guys... despite hospitality being an individual pursuit they can also find success as a team."
The Dream, Believe, Achieve program helps North Queenslanders gain industry-recognised qualifications and find long-term employment through in-class training, one-on-one mentoring and work experience placements with industry partners.
The program is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government through its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative with training delivered by Allara Learning.
The Selectability morning tea was the first event of its kind for DBA participants, with hopes more group-based opportunities will provide a platform for students to hone their craft.
Selectability Mental Health Hub coordinator Tim Burden said the event helped connect community groups and initiatives while putting their new, fully fitted kitchen into action.
"As soon as we saw the kitchen we thought, what could we do with it, so we reached out and it was discussed that we'd be able to put together this sort of event," he said.
"I'd love to be able to do a black tie dinner, get everyone dressed up and have that type of event in the future, so moving forward we'd love to make this a regular thing because establishing those little partnerships gives them experiences, ticks off some boxes for everyone and it’s easy to work together.”
To join the next intake of Dream, Believe, Achieve starting Tuesday 4 October, register your interest at cowboys.com.au/DBA.
