A TALENTED indigenous student from Wade High School has embarked on a training program designed to springboard him into his chosen career.
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Daniel Green signed a contract at Griffith City Council on Friday to officially commence his school-based traineeship as a building surveyor.
Daniel, who is going into year 11, will complete his High School Certificate (HSC), Certificate Two in local government and Certificate of Proficiency in respect of his hands-on training.
Daniel said his initial trepidation quickly dissolved once he spied a rare piece of Griffith's history.
"Not long after I started work experience in the lead-up to the traineeship, I saw a development application from the 1930s and it amazed and inspired me," Daniel said.
"It was a little bit daunting to begin with, but now I have settled in thanks to all the support I have been given and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it.
"I have also been a bit worried about how I'm going to fit in my HSC as well as the traineeship, but I have people from council, school and TAFE all helping me out, so I'm sure it will be fine."
Council's Indigenous Community Liaison Officer, Roger Penrith, said Daniel was very impressive during the interview process and was excited to watch Daniel flourish.
"This program will mean Daniel has a lot more choices once he finishes school and he'll have doors opened up to him and could help him get into university," Mr Penrith said.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Daniel to get experience and a nice transition to slowly ease him into the workforce by working one day per week.
"This program is 100 per cent funded by the State Training Services Aboriginal unit and the big picture is Daniel's employment will contribute towards council's indigenous employment target.
"Council's indigenous staff is currently at 3.2 per cent, or 12 people, and we're working on increasing that to 5 per cent by 2015."