Trainee of the Year

Sponsored by Apprentice Employment Network.

Winner: Neda Aleksic - Certificate III in Business

Employer: GTNT
Host employer: BCA National Training Group
Registered training provider: BCA National Training Group

When young mother Neda Aleksic started her search for an administration role, she found her lack of experience and previous study a challenge. She opted instead for a traineeship with BCA National studying a Certificate III in Business, which she completed in November 2015 through GTNT.

Neda is now employed full-time in an office administration role with BCA National. She also completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment in late 2015, and thanks to both qualifications is working towards a more advanced training coordinator role. She is already hosting orientation sessions for incoming students.

Looking forward, Neda plans additional study in a Certificate IV in Mental Health to support her role.

In her free time, 23-year-old Neda enjoys exercising and coaches her six-year-old son’s soccer team. At the time of writing, she was preparing to MC her friend’s wedding of more than 300 guests.

Runner up: Patricia Seden - Certificate III in Business

Employer: Airducter
Registered training provider: Dovaston Training and Assessment Centre

Before she took up a short-term contract as a part-time data entry clerk at Airducter, Patricia Seden found it difficult to present confidently at job interviews and find work.

She impressed her new employer, however, and was soon offered a full-time receptionist position and a traineeship to complete a Certificate III in Business via the Dovaston Training and Assessment Centre. Patricia graduated in April 2016.

Patricia’s traineeship has given her many new skills, such as payroll processing, operating computer systems, running reception and providing administration support. Her on-the-job experience significantly helped with her studies because both related well to each other. Patricia plans to study for a Certificate IV in Business next.

Outside work, Patricia, 23, is proud to have purchased her first car and, late last year, her own home. Her job also means she can travel interstate to visit family more often.