Equality Education seeks expressions of interest for free training courses
Staying true to a promise to his grandmother, a Townsville businessman is offering free training to 17 school leavers, unemployed, or under-employed people. Find out more.
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The last thing Arthur Burchett promised his grandmother before she died 17 years ago was that he would “make a real change in the world” – which he is doing now for people like Hannah Dawson.
Staying true to his promise, Mr Burchett has announced a life-changing opportunity for 17 school leavers, unemployed, and underemployed individuals to gain essential skills and job readiness through his training business Equality Education’s Pathway to Success program.
Last year Mr Burchett partnered with former North Queensland Cowboys captain Michael Morgan to launch the Equality Education, as a training organisation that prioritises giving learners enough time to gain confidence and competency, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Living with autism, Ms Dawson, 18, said she only had two job interviews in six months of job hunting after finishing high school before a family friend recommended she try a 10 week barista course through Equality Education.
“I wanted to learn how to become a barista and work in a cafe, build confidence in how to deal with customers and awkward situations … due to my autism,” Ms Dawson said.
“It felt really good getting extra knowledge and experience with working on a coffee machine and dealing with hot things. Equality Education got me a part time position in Subway.”
In the future, she planned to get a second job as a barista and one day run her own cafe or work in an early childhood care centre.
Mr Burchett said he was donating close to $50,000 through the Pathway to Success program, to give young people a leg up with training to be an accredited food safety supervisor, barista skills, and a first aid certificate.
“Every person deserves an opportunity to succeed, and for many, the only thing holding them back is access to the right training and support,” Mr Burchett said.
“This program is about teaching practical skills, workplace discipline, and setting these individuals up for long-term success.
“The courses will commence on January 13, 2025, with expressions of interest being taken now for the first 17 participants.”
Visiting Coffee Presto to see Ms Dawson showcase her skills, Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr praised the initiative and Mr Burchett’s commitment to the community.
“Hannah highlighted the importance of being able to access training opportunities and ensuring that there is a pathway available to all in our community regardless of their circumstances,” Ms Marr said.
“(She) is a perfect example of the great success that can come from investing in mentoring and supporting our young people to ensure they can address their challenges and enter the workforce.
“I am committed to advocating for further training and upskilling programs to ensure we produce a pipeline of skilled workers in industries of demand, addressing the staffing shortages and burdens being felt by small and family businesses.”
To express interest, visit: www.equalityeducation.com.au.
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