Jobs Victoria
As the eldest of several children, Sian Prangnell balanced education and work for much of her youth, which sometimes came at the expense of attending school. She understood the importance of work but didn’t have a clear idea about what she wanted to do once she left school. Jobs Victoria and Whitelion supported her to secure a business administration traineeship with Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP), the consortium designing and constructing the Metro Tunnel Project.
Sian attended the Pavilion School, which provides education and holistic support for students who have been disengaged or excluded from mainstream education. Jobs Victoria Partner Whitelion, a not-for-profit organisation that supports young people, works with the Pavilion School to help their students find a secure pathway into the workforce upon leaving school.
Sian understood the importance of work, but she didn’t have a clear idea about what she wanted to do once she left school. Jobs Victoria and Whitelion supported her to secure a business administration traineeship with Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP), the consortium designing and constructing the Metro Tunnel Project.
Sian Prangnell at work on the Metro Tunnel Project
Whitelion has developed a unique partnership with CYP, Holmesglen Institute and Jobs Victoria Partner AGA to develop business administration traineeships specific to the needs of its young people. CYP, as part of its commitment to providing career pathways on the Metro Tunnel to priority jobseekers, covers the cost of the Certificate III, which means young people experiencing financial difficulty can still engage in the program without the financial pressures.
Sian is now working with CYP on the Metro Tunnel Project, the largest public transport project in Victoria’s history. In her support role in the Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Team she is gaining professional experience and working towards a Certificate III qualification.
This opportunity has given Sian training and development opportunities she didn’t think she’d have access to once she finished school.
Sian’s advice for anyone who is struggling to find an opportunity is to focus on taking that first step.
“If you ever feel like you can’t get anywhere you need to stop telling yourself that. Because anyone can do anything, you just need to focus on where you’re trying to go. Even if it’s just a little step like getting out of bed.”
CYP has been contracted by Rail Projects Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government to design, build and maintain the tunnels and stations for the Metro Tunnel Project. CYP is a consortium comprising Lendlease Engineering, John Holland and Bouygues Construction Australia.