Hospitality graduates celebrate achievement
A group of young East Timorese women beamed with pride last week after completing their two-year Broome-based traineeship and graduating with a certificate III in hospitality.
Timor-Leste Traineeship program participants Julieta Maria Mok, Maria Angelina Guterres, Justiniana Bosco, Filomena De Jesus Noronha and Fernanda De Souza Varela attended a Hospitality Internship Training awards ceremony at Moonlight Bay Suites, joined by Kimberley Accommodation Group representatives, friends and community members to celebrate their achievement.
Special guests included Federal MP Alannah MacTiernan and Timor-Leste Embassy representative Ismenio Martins Da Silva.
The program, delivered by Vocational Training Services in partnership with Kimberley Accommodation, was initially developed as a pilot to address the workforce shortage in the North West.
It uses a buddy-based systems approach to training while working on the job.
The traineeship is industry focused in its development of lifelong skills that are transferrable back to Timor to provide assistance in building and developing industry.
The initial pilot program ran for 22 months with hospitality sector training.
However, trainees were also offered the nationally recognised certificate III qualification, funded by Kimberley Accommodation.
The graduation marked a significant and emotional milestone for the girls who have called Broome home for the past two years.
During the presentation, Kimberley Accommodation representatives praised their outstanding work, and described their incredible journey from shy, quiet individuals to confident, skilful young women who had blossomed personally and professionally.
Ms MacTiernan, who was instrumental in helping establish the program, said she was delighted it had come to fruition and commended the women for their accomplishments.
"It's been a positive program … it's great to see you women come here, learn skills and go home with enthusiasm," she said to the graduates.
Mr Da Silva said the traineeship was an "amazing opportunity" for Timor-Leste, and the participants would be a showcase for their community.
He said these types of programs were vital in developing the country, which gained independence in 2002.
Father Matt Digges of the Broome Catholic Diocese said the women had been a "blessing" to the community.
Ms Bosco arrived in Broome in May 2011 and said she thoroughly enjoyed her time working at Moonlight Bay Suites and learning hospitality skills.
She said she had embraced the Broome lifestyle and would miss the community.
Ms Noronha said having the chance to participate in the program "meant a lot" because she could now share what she had learned with people back home.
They women returned to Timor last week.
"It's been a positive program … it's great to see you women come here, learn skills and go home with enthusiasm." Alannah MacTiernan
