Kelsie Dodd has already taken the chair in the Inverell college office for her 12-month trainee tenure while she completes the first half of her Certificate III in Business. She said her performance will guide the rest of the institute toward beginners like hers.

“If I do well, then all the other colleges get to put a trainee on – so a lot of pressure!” she laughed.

The opportunity was extended after Kelsie had come in to enrol in a course after graduating from Inverell High School. College program co-ordiantor Tania Archer asked the 18-year-old if she was looking for work, because she was considering employing a trainee. When Kelsie completed her initial classes, she got a phone call and accepted the full-time job.

She has already settled into her role, but when the courses resume, Kelsie will spend two days a week working toward her certificate, and the other three assisting the staff in the office. For the moment, Kelsie is digging into the basics of the office environment; helping people complete their enrolment forms, answering calls, helping college staff, and entering enrolment information into the school database.

Kelsie has had retail jobs, and teaches younger dancers at Craze Dance Academy, but she said the traineeship is a new experience in assisting the public, and she was learning as she went.

“It’s different, I supposed, because there’s a lot of different people who come in here, but having to handle that and answering the phone, you’ve got to be professional,” she said.

The future is still one big question mark for the young woman who is setting more immediate goals while she considers career options. “I really don’t know. There’s just so many things, and so many different opportunities, but I don’t know what I want to do,” she said.

Tania was enthusiastic about Kelsie joining their front office team. “As a community college we are all about helping people achieve skills and get employment,” Tania said.

“It was the perfect fit for us to get a trainee. Kelsie will get to attend a class two days a week at the college to achieve her Certificate III in Business. The rest of the time she will be working as a valued staff member at the college.”