Mythbusting with Trainees
There are many misconceptions surrounding Traineeships, despite the positive outcomes of many trainees who have gone on to have thriving careers. We sat down with current AFL House trainees from a variety of different departments to debunk these myths and discuss what completing a traineeship is really like.
Mythbusting misconceptions surrounding Traineeships.
1. Myth – Traineeships are for people who don’t perform well academically:
Busted
“When I was in school the misconception was that traineeships were for people who fail school and it was the only option. It was either that or manual labour – But it is not. I think it is probably the best pathway someone could take if they are not looking to go straight into university.” – Jack Hitch, 25, Membership Trainee
“For me I was unsure of what I wanted to do once I finished school, but I knew events was always my passion. Completing a traineeship has helped me to explore that passion, while also beginning a career and getting paid. The experience and connections I have already made and the doors that have already opened have been amazing.” – Emily Webbe, 21, Membership Trainee
2. Myth – Traineeships are just for low-paying jobs:
Busted
“Even someone coming out of high school or someone who has been in the workforce for a couple of years – do it, it’s a career, not a job.” – Jack Hitch, 25, Membership Trainee
“Traineeships are a great pathway to find a career, they are great for people who learn best firsthand and are willing to put their best foot forward and have a crack at any opportunity that is presented.” – Laura Attana, 20, Partnerships Trainee
3. Myth – You can only complete a traineeship if you are a school leaver:
Busted
“Absolutely not, traineeships are not just for young people – I would recommend a traineeship to anyone who wishes to better their career and life as a whole. Being a part of this program has seriously given me opportunities in life I never thought would be possible, I’ll be eternally grateful and would recommend it to anyone I come across.” – Jack Hitch, 25, Membership Trainee
4. Myth – Trainees are given all of the boring tasks:
Busted
“A traineeship is not just getting coffee, which is what I thought when I first started. I believed I would be spending a year doing all of the boring/gross jobs that the other employees didn’t want to do. But it is absolutely nothing like that at all.” – Mia Mehmet, 20, Ticketing Trainee
“The misconception is that you come in and are treated like you are ‘just a trainee’ and are tasked with boring tasks. Well, it really is not like that at all! I’ve only ever gotten relevant tasks, which are opportunities to build skills.” – Charlie Garner, 20, Licensing Trainee
5. Myth – Traineeships focus on just the technical skills I need for a job. I won’t get the well-rounded education I would get at university:
Busted
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after I finished school and was aiming to just work for a year when I found AFL SportsReady. It allowed me to work in an industry I’m passionate about while studying to get a qualification, which was perfect for me.” – Charlie Garner, 20, Licensing Trainee
“Traineeships are a great way to work and develop educationally, you build a great network and are super supported in the transition. University was not the right decision at the time for me, due to it being inflexible and the fact I would accumulate a HECS debt on a degree I was unsure I even wanted to do.” – Riley Jones, 20, Events Trainee
If you would like to explore the current opportunities listed, you can apply for traineeships over at the Jobs Board
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5th of December 2022 | AUTHOR: Eliza Peterson
IMAGES: AFL House Trainees
This series includes current and former trainees demonstrating the benefits of the traineeship program and how this pathway allows them to follow their passions.
This article is part of our partnership with the National Careers Institute (NCI) to highlight the real benefits of Vocational Education and Training (VET)
