Duane completed his Certificate II traineeship in just 6 months, impressing his host employer the South Australian National Football League with his ability to manage projects on his own and his exceptional written work. Now completing his Certificate III Duane is keen to continue on to Diploma level and is involved in mentoring Indigenous youth and recognised as an Indigenous leader in the industry.
Duane has been selected for GTA’s leadership program – “Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders”. He is one of twenty two outstanding group training apprentices and trainees who was recognised on Wednesday August 9 at Government House Canberra by His Excellency the Governor-General as he launched the 2006 youth leadership programme “Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders”.
“Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders” brings together twenty two of Australia’s best and brightest apprentices employed under group training arrangements. It is an intensive five day leadership program conducted at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), and taps the enormous potential and enthusiasm of these top quality apprentices, equipping them for leadership roles in their industries and communities. It is here that Duanne met Prime Minister John Howard and explained his role.
Jim Barron, CEO of Group Training Australia said,
“The current skills shortfall is costing Australia billions in lost output. Right now, it is of utmost importance to provide added support and incentive for apprentices and trainees and to give them the opportunity to develop the leadership, work and life skills they need to be role models for apprenticeship training now and in the future”.
A photo of Duane with John Howard, PM can be accessed by emailing ant@antics.net.au
AFL SportsReady administers and facilitates traineeships in a complete range of sports and at a range of sporting organisations. There are opportunities to be matched up with a state or national sporting body, on a golf course, at a footy club, a school, in a retail, horticulture or marketing.
For more information, call AFL SportsReady’s head office on 03 8663 3030. From the 6 - 11 of August I was one of a select group of 21 group training apprentices and trainees who was invited to attend the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra for a 5 day Leadership Development Program known as “Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders”. This program was all about maximising my leadership potential – helping me to achieve the things that are important to me in my career and in life generally. It was a great opportunity to learn from other group-training apprentices and trainees as well as from those pursuing goals in sport and other areas. This program enabled me to: The program sessions kicked off on Monday morning, which also included a tour of the Australian Institute of Sport. Tuesday afternoon we payed a visit and had a tour of Parliament House, attended Question Time in Parliament, and was also very lucky to meet with the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and the Minister for Education, Science and Training. On Wednesday the program got off to a very official start with the program launch by our Patron, the Governor General of Australia, during a morning tea session at Government House. Thursday we had a full day of sessions also time to ask any further questions and a chance to finalise and finish program work sheets. On Friday morning the program came to an end where all participants left the AIS campus and headed to the airport with more confidence and a better understanding of what they want in life & work and how to achieve it. Duane Von Senden
In Duane's own words...
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