This is Why You Should Give A Traineeship a Go
Tassie local, Ben Ling, has a career he’s always dreamed of, and he owes it all to his traineeship with AFL SportsReady.
As Football Operations Coordinator, Ben is now working full-time at AFL Tasmania (AFL Tas).
“I still can’t believe I am working at the AFL. Sometimes it doesn’t feel real and I have been working here for four years,” said Ben.
“I know people who would do anything to be in my position, so I am pretty lucky I have this opportunity. But I couldn’t have done it without my traineeship,” he added.
Ben commenced his traineeship in 2014, after he decided three months into year 11 school was not for him.
“I wanted to work. I wanted to earn some cash, but at the same time, do something valuable. Something that would benefit me in the long run.”
“A traineeship is literally exactly that. It ticked all the boxes for me. Real work experience, an income, and on top of that, a qualification.”
AFL Tasmania was Ben’s host employer and after two years they became his full-time employer.
“AFL Tas is an amazing place to work. They are completely supportive and there are so many opportunities to grow within the organisation. I started my journey there, and it’s where I want to stay.”
Ben completed two traineeships with AFL Tas. He first worked in Business Operations, while studying a Certificate III in Business, and then moved into Game Development and studied a Certificate IV in Sport Development.
“I absolutely loved my traineeship and that’s why I decided to take on a second one. Now I am studying a Diploma of Leadership and Management while working in my full-time role as Football Operations Coordinator.”
“It’s a relatively small team, but it is brilliant. Everyone here is a mate and the work is awesome.”
Ben’s advice to anyone thinking about doing a traineeship, “Go for it! Without my traineeship I wouldn’t have had a clue where I would be right now. Traineeships develop you, they help you to grow, they set you up for success. It’s how I got to work in the AFL. It’s how I got my start in my dream career.”
To learn more about sports traineeships and how traineeships can provide people with real career skills, click here.
To find out more about the diverse range of rewarding careers available through vocational education and training, and watch the real skills for real careers video, visit www.myskills.gov.au
#realskillsforrealcareers
Date: 7th of February 2019
Image: AFL SportsReady CEO James Montgomery with Ben Ling
Author: Marissa Pagliarello
