Welcome back to SLES

The easing of restrictions across the country has enabled our SLES trainers and trainees to return to face-to-face sessions and they have been loving every minute of it. While the online sessions were popular, nothing could replace those special bonding moments experienced in the training rooms.

Afford’s School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) equip you with the skills, knowledge and real-world experience to enter work or further training with confidence.

Seven trainees brought their brightest smiles and a hunger for learning to SLES Ingleburn, where they reconnected with old friends and met new ones.

“We had two new trainees start on Monday, which was exciting. Benjamin had joined when SLES was online so it was great for him to meet everyone in the flesh and see another side to SLES,” said SLES Vocational Trainer, Veta Ah-hoe.

This week the sessions were focused on teamwork, cooperation and preparing for the workplace. Trainees were split into small groups where trainers challenged them to invent a special train and subsequent branding, then present it to their peers. The task encouraged trainees to work on many goals, including creativity and public speaking.

“The best thing about being back is the social interactions. Being able to prompt the trainees who are more reserved and also have one to one time is great. The trainees even enjoyed the simple things like having lunch together outside and sitting under the shade,” said Veta.

SLES Prestons also enjoyed returning to their face-to-face lessons, welcoming new trainees and getting into the swing of hands-on activities once again.

“The online sessions kept many of us motivated throughout lockdown but SLES Prestons are looking forward to finishing the year off in the classroom,” said SLES Vocational Trainer, Frank Cucek.

Up in Queensland, SLES Southport was also excited to get out into the community and exercise the skills they have learnt over the past three months. Brooklyn has been updating his resume and practising a script for delivering his resume to prospective employers.

“We visited our local shopping centre and went to Coles and Woolworth’s. Seeing as this was Brooklyn’s first experience approaching managers with his resume, we expressed his interest together. It was an important step in the right direction and practice makes perfect,” said SLES Vocational Trainer, Mark Harriss.

With Australia continuing to open up, we look forward to seeing our SLES trainees undertake work experience, internship opportunities and industry visits.

Find out more about how Afford’s SLES can introduce you to a world of new opportunities.