Trainee Takes On New School Role

Samuel McInerney is the first to step into a newly created role as the Vocational Pathways Assistant Trainee, a position that has proven to be a great fit.

For Samuel, returning to Salesian College Sunbury felt both familiar and completely new.

I was a student at Salesian for a few years before moving to another school. Coming back as a Trainee, there were a lot of new faces, but also some familiar ones. It felt like the right place to start fresh.

After finishing high school, Samuel explored a few different industries.

I did a trade for a while, then worked in insurance, but neither felt like the right path. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I was keen to find something meaningful.

That’s when he came across the traineeship opportunity.

I was pretty nervous during the interview process. It had been a few years since I’d been at school but thankfully I was successful.

Completing a Certificate III in Business alongside hands-on experience in the classroom, Samuel supports the school’s vocational pathways team and works closely with staff and students across various programs.

Being a teacher’s assistant gives you a real insight into how a classroom works.

You get to observe different teaching styles and learn from the people around you.

It’s made me passionate about education and I’m now seriously looking at studying teaching at university.

Samuel’s varied work background has helped shape his goals. It has also given him a clearer picture of what he does and doesn’t want in a career.

Those previous roles were important. They helped me realise I needed something more people-focused, where I felt like I was making a difference. This traineeship gave me that clarity.

He’s also been building practical skills like time management, task delegation and learning how to prioritise under pressure.

Managing tasks, checklists, understanding what’s urgent, those are skills I’ve developed throughout the year.

The educational side of the traineeship hasn’t come without its challenges, though.

Studying again after being out of school for a few years has been tough.

But I’m determined to finish it, it’s worth it.

What’s stood out most to Samuel is the welcoming culture of the education space.

It’s such a supportive environment. Things are changing in education and that’s exciting to be part of, especially at a school like Salesian, where they’re open to new ideas and new roles like mine.

For anyone finishing Year 12 and unsure of their next step, Samuel sees traineeships as a valuable option.

They give you a solid foundation and practical skills that are transferable no matter what path you take. And most importantly, they give you the chance to actually try something out before committing to a career. If I hadn’t done this traineeship, I never would’ve known that teaching could be the right fit for me.

Salesian College Sunbury is a long-time partner with AFL SportsReady. Together, we’ve been shaping the futures of Trainees and making a lasting impact for over 10 years.