Jordan Lines is putting his time management skills to the test as he juggles work skills training with his new job at a popular Boonah restaurant.
The 17-year-old is completing a Certificate III in Vocational Skills through the Get Set for Work program at the Carinity Fassifern Community Centre in Boonah. As well as enjoying getting to know students and staff, learning new work skills has led to Jordan securing a role at Blume Restaurant - and a potential apprenticeship.
Jordan enrolled in the Get Set for Work training course after he completed Year 11 at school then worked for a few years.
"I found out about Fassifern Community Centre through some mates, went along for the first time and decided to do the course. It does help with a lot of things, it's a course for young people and everyone is really nice," Jordan said.
Jack Stuart, one of Australia's best young chefs and owner of the newly established Blume Restaurant, was approached by Fassifern Community Centre to participate in a Master Chef cook-off. At the same time, Jack was looking for someone to join as a kitchen hand.
The chance timing led to Jordan's role at the restaurant, where he works as a kitchen hand. His roles include preparing tables, washing dishes and utensils, cleaning, and preparing food with the sous chef. Jordan enjoys being a part of the Blume Restaurant team.
"My favourite thing about working at Blume is every Sunday we have a nice little dinner at the table, all the staff get together and have a chat," Jordan said.
Carinity Fassifern Community Centre Program Manager, Samantha Caves, said Jordan is one of Get Set for Work's many success stories. The Queensland Government program provides employment and training assistance to young Queenslanders aged 15 to 19 years.
"The program is designed to equip young people with a qualification and practical skills, like working at our Café 11 at the Community Centre. As part of the students' study we also practice mock interviews, and provide support with cover letter writing, interviewing skills and driving lessons," Samantha said.
"Course students also have access to emergency financial assistance; fuel and grocery vouchers; provision of work wear and mobile phones; and holistic and individual counselling if required."
The Get Set for Work Program was a Southeast Region finalist in the Community Training Initiative category of the 2021 Queensland Training Awards. Samantha said most course graduates had secured employment.
"It is wonderful to see all our graduates balance studying and working. Young people like Jordan are the real success stories for the Get Set for Work program, and we are thrilled to see him progress with his career. We are really proud of his hard work," Samantha said.
In addition to the Get Set for Work program, Fassifern Community Centre has successfully run four community work skills projects offering Certificate III in Individual Support qualifications.
"Since 2018, we have collectively trained over 120 graduates. Of those participants, 90 per cent have achieved employment within their chosen field," Samantha said.
"Course participants included women from linguistically and culturally diverse groups; women re-entering the workforce; people with a disability; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; disadvantaged job seekers; young people and mature aged job seekers; and job seekers who are underemployed."
