From education to fulltime employment for Palm Island graduates

Two years after deciding to knuckle down and study, seventeen year old Neil Baira is reaping the results of his hard work.

From Palm Island in northern Queensland, Neil is one of three Bwgcolman Community School graduates to gain an eighteen month traineeship with Mendi, a private construction company contracted to build houses in Palm Island’s new subdivision.

“The last two years have been life-changing for me,” Neil said.

“All of these opportunities have come along since I’ve been putting in hard work and making the right choices.”

Neil and his classmates Cassian Tanner and Kenny Baira graduated from Bwgcolman Community School with a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), and were excited to be offered the traineeships, which will give them vital experience in the construction industry.

“I think it is great that I left school on Friday and started work on Monday. I will be saving some of my pay every week for a work truck,” Kenny said.

Although only just out of school, all three boys already have firm plans for their respective futures; Neil wants to become a fully-qualified carpenter and start his own business, while Cassian’s goal is to become a diesel fitter and own a house and a boat, and Kenny plans to become a heavy-machinery operator.

Recognising the important example set by the three boys, Bwgcolman Principal Jeff Jones held a special whole of school assembly in which Mendi representatives presented Neil, Cassian and Kenny with their work uniforms.

The goal to complete Year 12 and gain a QCE is growing among students at Bwgcolman Community School. In 2012, two students completed Year 12 with one gaining a QCE, and this year eight students completed Year 12 with five gaining a QCE, and younger students are being inspired by success stories like Neil, Cassian and Kenny.

Their influence has also gone beyond the school boundaries with their success being promoted throughout the community by the local ‘Palm Island Voice’ newspaper. The young boys have shown that when you set a goal to stay in school, get a good education and graduate, a smooth transition to employment is more likely. And when your fellow students see and follow your example, a legacy is established.