Boy’s Xmas wish comes true
THE Toowoomba teenager who made headlines for wanting work at just 13 has landed a job.
Christmas certainly came early for Declan Traise, who finally scored casual work in a fish and chip shop after a month of handing out resumes and haunting shop-owners.
The tenacious teen made The Chronicle earlier this month for wanting to work at such a young age.
Now into his first week at Harristown store Chipper Fish on Drayton Rd, Declan said he was amazed to earn the job.
“The interview went well – I wasn’t expecting to get the job, but I got it,” he said excitedly.
Chipper Fish owner Alex Leicht said he picked Declan for his sheer determination and willingness to follow up on the initial resume drop.
“He came in about six weeks ago and he kept coming in on my days off and my daughter handed me the resume,” he said.
“A couple of weeks later, he came back in and I was impressed with that determination.
“It showed this guy has got some get up and go. I get a lot of people who drop their resumes off, but I just don’t hear from them again.”
Declan admitted the job was a little different to what he expected, with his roles not just to do with serving fish and chips.
“It’s a little different than I expected, because I’ve learnt that you’ve got to clean everywhere and you’ve got to pick up everything,” he said.
But his determination has not gone unnoticed by his new boss, who said he had been impressed with his attitude.
“Like all young kids, he’s a bit shy and awkward but you’ve got to stick with them and show them the procedures a few times,” Mr Leicht said.
“I usually don’t expect kids to settle instantly. A lot have never handled money or taken orders, so you’ve got to stick with it.
“But he’s really keen and he even took the menu home and studied it.”
Mr Leicht, who has hired high school students before, said other employers should consider taking on more teenagers.
“A lot of people don’t give young people chances – a lot think they don’t know what hard work is, but I’ve never found it,” he said.