Going to work, earning money and setting out on the journey to a fulfilling career sounds like the ideal way to begin life after school, but for Kalieann Butler this is just another day of Year 11!

Kalieann, a Year 11 Indigenous student at Woodcrest State College in Brisbane’s Western Corridor, has embarked on a School Based Traineeship which allows her to go to work one day per week to experience the workforce, all while completing a Certificate II in Business Services.

The Traineeship, made available as part of the Australian Employment Covenant’s P-Plate Program, is based at the QLD Government’s Department of Premier and Cabinet in Brisbane’s CBD.  The P-Plate program works with partner schools to link Indigenous Job ready Students to the opportunities that exist through the AEC’s Fifty thousand Jobs Initiative.

Kalieann began the traineeship back in February this year, and joins thousands of other workers to catch the train from the outer suburbs into the city each day for work.  On the job she has already impressed with her desire to learn, so far undergoing occupational health and safety training, completing office administration duties and even assisting with the development of the anti-discrimination policy.

The significance of the opportunity is not lost on Kalieann. “It is a valuable experience because I am learning about the real world and this job will open up career pathways”

Back at school Kalieann is acting as an example to other students demonstrating the value of going to work and gaining valuable workforce skills all while completing her regular subjects. She has even shown initiative in following up with her teachers to catch up on the work she has missed on the days she is completing her traineeship.