Nowra’s Samantha D’Elboux has recently been presented with HVTC’s 2016 Indigenous Trainee of the Year.
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The 21-year-old trainee is employed by Group Training Organisation, HVTC Shoalhaven, and is hosted by Shoalhaven City Council’s Shoalhaven Water.
Samantha works as a Water/Wastewater Attendant whilst studying her Certificate III in Water Operations.
Samantha has also been named TAFE Illawarra’s Trainee of the Year and received a TAFE NSW Gili Encouragement Award in May.
“These awards means a lot to me. It’s a huge personal achievement and a real honour to be acknowledged both locally and state-wide,” Samantha said.
After securing a traineeship with Shoalhaven Water in 2014, Samantha completed a Certificate II in Water Operations before being asked to extend her traineeship and undertake a Certificate III.
She was recently appointed the Council’s first female, Indigenous Water/Wastewater Attendant.
“I initially chose to do a traineeship because it allowed me to enter the workforce, start gaining experience in a field I was interested in, and further my studies all while earning an income,” Samantha said.
“I am now fortunate to have life mentors and people who believe in my success.”
Samantha’s work has fostered her interest in the environment and water management and she’s excited about her future in the water industry.
“I’m really interested in pursuing a career in water and environmental conservation. Living in small community such as Nowra there aren’t a lot of opportunities to branch out into the environmental industry but my traineeship with Shoalhaven Water has given me a great chance to get a foot in the door to this industry,” she said.