Main Street Hero

Look out, local hero! Looks like you’re keen to be an active part of your community. You’re a natural fit for roles in customer service, retail or hospitality. Explore the ways you can get things started, some funding opportunities, and where to connect with like-minded folks. 

Pathways

• Get hands-on skills in areas like hospitality management, retail operations or customer service at TAFE or an accredited VET provider like Education Training & Employment Australia, the William Angliss Institute or the Institute of Culinary Excellence. Search for VET courses on Study Australia to get an idea of what’s out there.

• Sign up for a short course to learn a specific skill like customer service training, food handling or retail management. Open Universities Australia is a great place to start.

• Pursue an undergraduate degree in a related field like business or hotel management. Many institutions also offer admission pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Check out Course Seeker or Good Universities Guide to find a course that appeals to you.

• Have a look at current job opportunities on boards like SEEK or Ethical Jobs. For roles specific to First Nations job hunters, you can search for ‘Aboriginal Identified jobs’ or filter for Indigenous jobs. Koori Mail, Our Mob and Indigenous Employment Australia are job boards created by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that are worth a look, too. 

• Part-time jobs, internships or volunteer opportunities in customer service, retail or hospitality can help you to build hands-on experience. Many businesses will take you on while you’re still in high school, so you can try out some of these jobs before you even leave school.

Funding

For information on financial support available around Australia for First Nations young people looking to learn about customer service, retail or hospitality, we recommend checking out the following: 

• institution websites (many TAFEs and universities have funding for First Nations students)

• an Indigenous Higher Education Unit if you’re considering university

• the ABSTUDY program

• AIEF’s scholarship program

• Aurora Foundation’s Indigenous Pathways Portal, which can be filtered by your preferred subject area like tourism and hospitality.

Networking

• Networks like the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Retail Association can connect you to other resources and professionals in your area. There are groups just for mob out there, too, like Indigenous Business Australia or state-based organisations like the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc (NSWICC). 

• CareerTrackers supports First Nations students from Year 12 and throughout university to connect with employers and participate in paid, multi-year internships.

• Yalari’s Pathways Program helps to prepare students for life after school and to navigate the transition to higher education, vocational training and employment.

• AIEF offers career support for First Nations students from Year 11 onwards, assisting with goal setting and applications for higher education, training or employment opportunities.

• Connect with a mentor through AIEF or AIME. 

• Indigenous student support centres at your education provider (like an Indigenous Higher Education Unit) aren’t just good for finding resources; they’re a great place to find connection and community, too.

What else would you be good at?

Hit up the quiz again to see where else your skills, interests or passions could take you. Or, jump ahead to learn more about the other quiz outcomes and how to get started on those instead.

• More into working with your hands? Build your skills as a Hands-on Trade Master.

• More into the latest tech trends and gadgets? Being a Tech Head might be your calling.

• Ready to build and create? Explore how to become an Engineer for the Real World.

• All about helping others and being there for mob? Being a Health Profesh could be just the thing!

• Inspired by the many wonders of the world? Being a So Sciency Scientist could be for you.

• Want to inspire and educate young ones? Get Schooled and make it happen.

• All about expressing yourself? Unlock your Creative Mode, share new ideas and celebrate your culture. 

• Keen to stay close to mob and to uplift your community? Discover how to be Socially Savvy and advocate for others.

• Got a mad new idea? Start your journey as a Deadly Entrepreneur.