'APpeTite' Program Helps Indigenous Youth Kickstart Their Career in Victoria

Ruby Stanley, a 20-year-old Indigenous woman from the Yirrganydji tribe of Townsville, North Queensland, recently graduated from the WPC Group's APpeTite program in Dandenong, Victoria.

Ruby had taken a break after finishing high school to focus on her mental health before deciding to focus on her career in July 2018. However, having never been employed before, Ruby's friend recommended the APpeTite program to prepare her for the world of work.

"I wanted to do the program to gain more experience, develop my skills, and to get a bit of a head start," Ruby says.

Along with 14 other young people, Ruby gained new skills and knowledge and graduated from the program. She learned how to write a resume, make coffee at the barista course, and gained job interview skills. Ruby spent one week of the program doing work experience at Kangan Institute and impressed the team so much that she was offered employment through WPC Group as a business trainee at Kangan.

"A traineeship opens up opportunities," Ruby says. "My key takeaway from the program has definitely been defining my skills. Also, the confidence I have built from having people believe in me and instruct me and teach me things that are really valuable has really helped me."

Ruby plans to use the traineeship as a stepping stone to continue developing her skills and hopes to eventually gain a Bachelor's Degree.