‘ WE’LL PAY FOR A JOB’
Would- be mechanic is desperate for training
A MOTHER is so desperate to help secure an apprenticeship for her daughter that she offered to pay an employer to take her on board.
Tania Henshall’s daughter Chelsea, 17, wants to be a mechanic and has been looking for a job for a year.
She hopes going public with her search will break the drought.
“She wants to work with light vehicles, heavy vehicles, as a diesel fitter,” Mrs Henshall said. “It doesn’t matter as long as engines and parts are involved.”
Mrs Henshall said Chelsea had been applying for roles since the family moved to Townsville last January.
“Chelsea has applied for lots and lots of jobs and even been selected for short- listing and second intake day appointments,” she said.
“We have even travelled to Mackay twice for intake assessments.”
Chelsea said she just wanted to work with engines.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” she said. “Mum even got me a project car to work on until I get a job. I’m even willing to leave Townsville to get the job.”
Mrs Henshall said it had been frustrating that some prospective employers had offered to provide feedback to Chelsea but had failed to follow through.
“This is an extremely disappointing practice,” she said.
“It also means that Chelsea has no way of knowing what or how to improve her prospects.”
Mrs Henshall said was prepared to make a financial deal with an employer to get her daughter into work.
“Why not offer a business solution that works both for the employer and my daughter?” she said.
Mrs Henshall said she had made the offer to pay employers on social media and the responses had been both positive and negative.
“But the number of good people offering brilliant ideas has been amazing,” she said.
“There are lots of steps involved in gaining apprenticeships but the first step is to ask. Next step is to find the right employer that is willing to work with an apprentice who just wants to work and negotiate a suitable arrangement.
“All I’ve done is ask a question and put up an offer to start discussions.”
Chelsea said she would not give up hope that her job search would be a success.
“I just want to be a mechanic or diesel fitter,” she said.
“It’s something not a lot of people are into and it gives me an opportunity to do a lot more than other people would.”
Job search website Jora yesterday had only three listings for apprentice positions in Townsville and none were in the mechanical field.