Training combines school and workplace

Year 11 student Caddi MacFarlane is relishing learning the ropes at National Australia Bank’s Bunbury branch through an initiative aimed at providing indigenous Australians with skilled jobs.

Now in its third year, the school-based NAB traineeship program provides indigenous high school students from Years 10 to 12 the opportunity to study a business administration certificate II while gaining valuablework experience, a salary and mentoring from colleagues.

Workingat the branch two days aweek, the Bunbury Catholic College student prefers working to being at school and said she enjoyed being able to learn different skills to those taught at school.

‘‘I wanted to try something new,’’ the 16-year-old said.

‘‘I think they will offer mean apprenticeship and I will take it.’’

Senior manager indigenous finance and development Glen Brennan said the bank had made a long-term commitment to addressing indigenous disadvantage.

‘‘We know it won’t happen overnight and we acknowledge that we can’t do everything,’’ Mr Brennan said.

‘‘However, indigenous employment is one of the areas where we think we can make an impact.’’