A dedicated and ambitious group of 74 qualified, job-ready North Queenslanders have supercharged the local Hospitality and Individual Support industries after graduating from the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys’ Dream, Believe, Achieve program.
Friday’s graduation ceremony marked the first time the program celebrated graduates from its 14-week Certificate III in Individual Support while 65 Certificate III in Hospitality graduates added to the program’s 326 graduates since 2018.
More than 50 graduates from the 2023 cohorts are already putting their newly acquired qualifications and job-ready work experience to use, finding meaningful and ongoing paid employment throughout North Queensland, boosting local industry.
Hospitality graduates completed the intensive 10-week course across 4 intakes, including Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Gambling Services (RSG) qualifications via in-class training modules, one-on-one mentoring and guidance and on-the-job work experience with Dream, Believe, Achieve’s 10 industry partners.
Individual Support graduates completed their 14-week course, including First Aid and CPR certificates, NDIS Screening (Yellow Card) and 120 hours of work placement to pursue career opportunities in disability, mental health and aged care.
Hospitality graduate and now Cowboys Leagues Club employee Samuel Waigana said the Dream, Believe, Achieve program made a significant difference to the lives of it’s participants through instilling belief.
“In the first week of class, most of us would agree we were shame to speak, meet each other or even stand and describe ourselves in front of the class,” he said.
“But in those coming weeks of mentoring and teaching, we slowly helped develop characteristics within ourselves and helped our fellow classmates.
“As work experience week came around, some of us got the opportunity to serve and host with The Ville during the Cowboys 2023 season launch to test what we’d learnt in a short time.
“Keep working hard for those little goals that you want to accomplish and set new goals, keep going and keep building yourself and the right employer will come.”
The Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve program was established in 2015 delivering education, training and industry-recognised qualifications to unemployed and disadvantaged North Queenslanders, providing mentoring support to assist students in completing their studies and achieving their career goals.
The program has provided a boost to local industry and Hospitality employers over the 8-year period through supply of reliable, confident and skilled workers including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supported by the Queensland Government, training is delivered by program partners Allara Learning (Hospitality) and selectability (Individual Support).
Cowboys Chief Community and Government Relations Officer Fiona Pelling said funding received from the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training as part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program is instrumental in driving the continued success of the Dream Believe Achieve program.
“Through this ongoing partnership, we will continue to witness transformative outcomes, empowering jobseekers to acquire vital skills, qualifications and the confidence needed to transition from employment to active economic participation,” she said.
“The program’s holistic approach through strong industry relationships, mentoring support and barrier breaking strategies will continue to pave the way for meaningful change in the lives of the participants, contributing to a skilled and engaged workforce in Queensland.
“We are immensely grateful for the funding received that allows eligible participants to undertake and complete their studies at no cost while focusing on securing employment and building a brighter future.”
The first intake for Dream, Believe, Achieve’s Certificate III in Hospitality commences 22 January 2024.
For more information or to register for upcoming program intakes, visit cowboys.com.au/DBA.
