Indigenous trainees thriving at TAC

23 May 2013

As the AFL embraces Aboriginal culture this week, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is also celebrating its indigenous connections.

Through the TAC Youth Trainee Program, Lyndon Perry, 21, and Kieren Kirby, 20, have worked diligently at Geelong headquarters for the past 10 months in a variety of roles, including in forensics, the records centre and service delivery.

Both indigenous trainees have undergone significant transformations as a result.

“Working here has changed my life,” Lyndon said.

“It’s given me the confidence I needed after being unemployed for my first two years following Year 12. I moved from Swan Hill to Geelong to start the traineeship and it was pretty scary coming down on my own, getting used to city life.”

Kieren, a former part-time labourer from Geelong, agreed that the adjustment was challenging at first, but very rewarding.

“Administration is definitely a different environment, but you get used to it,” he said.

“Something I’ve found is that it’s very easy to fit in here because the TAC is very multicultural – there are a lot of people with different races and backgrounds.

“I’m more comfortable now and can see myself pursuing a career in business, which I didn’t think possible a year ago, but you do get that belief in yourself after a while.”

TAC Youth Trainee Program Manager Lynette Morgan said she was proud of how the pair had progressed.

"When Lyndon and Kieren started, they were very reserved, but they have grown in confidence and ability and are now valued members of the TAC workforce," she said.

"I think they've even surprised themselves with their skills and knowledge."

The pair are two of hundreds of young indigenous people who have been provided with pre-employment training by Whitelion before landing full-time work.

“Our success rate has been above 80 per cent, confirming to the community how employable our young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are,” Whitelion Western Region Manager Jeff Hamilton said. 

While Lyndon and Kieren’s12-month placements at the TAC finish in July, another indigenous trainee will start on Monday.

For more information contact Nick Price on 5225 7738 or 0408 523 772.

Pictured below:
TAC Indigenous trainees (from left) Lyndon Perry and Kieren Kirby.