In 2008 I completed my Higher School Certificate (now the ATAR) at Monaro High School, Cooma in the Snowy Mountains. I moved to Canberra to start the traineeship program with the then Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts at the beginning of 2009 with the intention of only taking a year off before starting uni.

In the 12 months during the traineeship program I worked in 3 different areas, the Records Management Unit, Water Group Support Section and the International Section. These areas taught me skills that are invaluable and transferable to all aspects of my budding career. I have no doubt that they will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Its now 2011 and I am still working for what's now the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communites on national water reform in the Water Planning Section. I have taken the opportunity to take 12 months leave this year to start uni like I originally planned, I would encourage you to apply for the program and look forward to meeting you when I return.
Asher, Trainee 2009

"I really enjoyed getting together on Thursdays before training. We all got the chance to interact with each other and Barb on a personal level instead of a professional level. It was entertaining to find out some of us were not morning people while others were! This enjoyable experience helped develop the friendship ties we now have."
Emma, 2009 Trainee

"The traineeship program is a really good experience, we have had a lot of great opportunities that people who have been in the Public Service their whole working life have not had! One great experience was meeting the Minister and lunching in the Members and Guests Dinning Room in Parliament House."
Lauren, 2010 Trainee

"This traineeship has been a great opportunity to learn about what goes on within the different sections that we have been placed. It has also been a great opportunity to make contacts with people that may become beneficial when we graduate and are looking for full time work. A particularly good experience has been working within the Cultural Property Section, not only are the people lovely and welcoming but the tasks that I have been given have been very interesting and challenging."
Kate, 2010 Trainee

"DSEWPaC is a great department to work in. We have a fantastic social club that organises great social opportunities such as the department Ball, fundraising BBQs, Yoga and other gym classes and lunch time sports including soccer, tough footy and volleyball; it is a great opportunity to network throughout the department and stretch your legs."
Elena, 2009 Trainee

"The School Leaver traineeship program is a good way to begin a career in the APS. Throughout the traineeship year you gain so many skills that will be used throughout your working career. You also get tonnes of support from the traineeship manager, your mentors and your buddies! Plus you get to make some awesome friends in the process."
Laura, 2009 Trainee

"Meeting up with everyone on Tuesday mornings is fun and we get to catch up with everyone before training or before we go on an excursion. The excursions are always really good and usually pretty interesting too... especially because we get paid to do them!"
Coen, 2010 Trainee

"The Training sessions that we go to are really fun. We always get the opportunity to discuss what we are learning about and work with each other in the classes. Our trainer always comes up with really cool ways of teaching us about different aspects of government, such as making 'coconut ice' without a recipe to teach us about following a process, and completing a problem solving challenge where we couldn't show each other our information to teach us about communication."
Sophie, 2010 Trainee