Ms Douglas is an apprentice cabinet maker with Riverland Cabinets and Joinery and aspiring security guard Jodie Baetge is working at Echuca Regional Health.
Balance for Better is led by Campaspe Cohuna Local Learning and Employment Network (CCLLEN), the Committee for Echuca Moama (C4EM) and Campaspe Primary Care Partnership (CPCP), with additional financial support from Byford Fluid Solutions in Moama.
Ms Douglas received $800 to fund the purchase of tools, which she will use in her apprenticeship, and Ms Baetge received $1000 to go towards funding her Melbourne-based Ceritficate II in Security Operations to become an accredited security officer.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Chrissy Weller said the scholarship provided opportunities for young people in our local area and highlighted the diversity of employment opportunities that were available locally.
“It’s a fantastic program where everyone has been able to partner together to achieve,” Cr Weller said.
“A program like this that assists you do the hard things, and buy the equipment is fantastic.”
Campaspe Shire economic development manager Astrid O’Farrell said the scholarship program was about more than just nurturing new opportunities.
“The end goal is more than just fostering young people into careers, but also keeping them here,” she said.
“A lot of businesses are searching for employees, and how do we connect them with young people and school leavers? But if we link (young people) in to these opportunities, and up-skill people and support them, staying locally may become more appealing.”
Ms Baetge has been with ERH for about six years, and will continue her work with the hospital after completing her studies.
“I’ve been thinking about it for the last year and a half, and I wasn’t sure about it,” she said.
“It’s a bit out of my comfort zone, but I’ll learn as I go.”
Ms Douglas said she had never initially thought about working in cabinet making.
“I knew out of school that uni wasn’t for me, so I took a gap year which turned into four or five gap years doing retail,” she said.
“I thought about apprenticeships, but I thought I was too old for them. I know that employers like to hire people just out of school or Year 10, but I applied and here we are.”
Ms Douglas has encouraged other young women to try out apprenticeships.
“To any young women or girls who are thinking about apprenticeships, I was a bit nervous as well, but you can give it a go, and if it’s not for you, it’s not for you.”
The second round of the Balance for Better Scholarship applications is currently open. Application forms are available by emailing Anne Trickey at trickey.a@ccllen.com.au or administration@campaspepcp.com.au
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