TOYOTA North Queensland Cowboys players Hezron Murgha and Jake Granville recently took time out from training to drop into the city to thank the Cowboys Leagues Club for supporting local job hunters.
The pair met trainees from the North Queensland Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve program which is funded by the QLD State Government, providing local Indigenous Australians people with training, work experience and employment opportunities in the hospitality industry.
As part of their contribution to the program, the Cowboys Leagues Club is providing work experience opportunities for seven trainees.
“With the support of the Queensland Government, Cowboys Dream, Believe, Achieve is focused on providing appropriate training and qualifications to Indigenous Australians aspiring to work in the hospitality industry and then taking that next step in converting the acquired skills into paid employment in their industry of choice” Cowboys Community Relations Manager, Fiona Pelling said.
“Our Indigenous mentors support the students all the way through and the work experience component is critical in providing participants exposure to real work environments as well as allowing industry to see the value they bring as potential employees," she said.
“The Cowboys Leagues Club is proud to support the Cowboys Football Club’s Dream, Believe, Achieve Program. It is a great initiative and we have seen first-hand the positive impact the program has on the students,” Leagues Club General Manager, Clint Williams said.
“The two week placement at our Club provides the students with excellent hands-on experience and a valuable insight into the hospitality industry," he said.
"Two students from last year’s program, Adrian and Matilda, were offered casual employment at the Club following their placement, and one year on both remain valued employees here at the Club.
"In particular, Matilda was recently voted by her peers and management as Employee of the Month, which is a great achievement.”
On hand to thank the Cowboys Leagues Club for providing work experience opportunities for the group, Cowboys hooker, Jake Granville, said it can be tough when you’re trying to break into the workforce.
“Just like in football, you need the skills and the right attitude to get a position on the team, you also need the opportunity to prove yourself and the Leagues Club has done that for these guys," he said.
Granville and Hezron Murgha spoke with two of the work experience trainees.
Saulo Waia said the course has motivated and encouraged him to progress further towards his future goals.
Selina Zaro said the past three months studying in the Dream Believe Achieve course has given her more than she hoped for plus she scored a Cowboys 2015 membership.”
As part of their work experience both trainees were also given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at Jupiters Casino where they serviced over 1,000 guests at the North Queensland Cowboys 20th Anniversary Dinner.
