Training Team Growth

Outback Stores’ training team in Darwin has recently grown to include two new training officers, Carmel Geia and Josephine Baker.

Carmel went to boarding school in Townsville but has family living in Numbulwar, a remote community in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Josephine is from Milingimbi Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land.

“It’s good to have started here at the same time as Josephine, because we can learn from each other,” says Carmel.

They join training team leader Dotty Repu, to support her in the compliance and data entry needed to satisfy the certified training requirements of the Australian Skills Quality Authority.

“It has been a huge help having them join the team. We’re ticking our compliance boxes much quicker now,” said Dotty.

Carmel and Josephine’s roles are based in the Darwin Support Office, but they also travel to community occasionally to support the in-person training. Since starting in August they have visited Ngukurr community in the Roper River Region, and they hope to visit some communities in Western Australia soon.

This year the training team have helped 25 trainees to successfully complete either a Certificate II, III or IV in retail qualifications. Those students who have completed the highest qualification are now taking more responsibility in store and providing support for new team members.