Tassie Trainee to Join Esteemed Emerging Leaders’ Program in Canberra

Work & Training trainee Lukas Burns has been selected as one of just 25 young people from across Australia to participate in the prestigious National Apprentice Employment Network’s 2024 ‘Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders’ (TSTL) program.

The esteemed initiative is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders, and the 21-year-old Penguin resident is set to make his mark.

The intensive week-long residential program will take place from November 3-8 in Canberra, with an official launch at Government House on November 6 by the Governor-General, Her Excellency, the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC.

In addition to this remarkable achievement, Lukas is also a finalist in three categories at the annual Work & Training Graduation and Awards Ceremony. He will compete against the state’s finest apprentices and trainees for the titles of Business Services Student of the Year, Trainee of the Year, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Trainee of the Year.

“I’m truly grateful for this opportunity. I’m eager to build my confidence and enhance my leadership skills, as I haven’t had much formal training in this area. This experience will be invaluable, especially as I’ll be guiding a new trainee at our office soon,” Lukas said.

Lukas’s journey began with a school-based traineeship during Years 11 and 12 with ANZ bank in Burnie. After completing his Certificate II in Business and taking a gap year, he secured a Certificate III Business traineeship with Work & Training in Devonport. Here, he swiftly became an integral part of the team.

“As a Trainee Operations Support Officer, I assist staff within our Apprentice and Employment Services and Registered Training Organisation. I find the education and training sector incredibly fulfilling; it allows me to create opportunities and help others advance through education.”

Lukas’s impressive resume showcases his strong work ethic, teamwork skills, and dedication to his studies. Outside of work, he has excelled in state running competitions, earned football medals for best and fairest, served as co-captain, and received awards in art and information technology.

Work & Training Team Leader Maret Pearson, who nominated Lukas for the program, praised his accomplishments. “At such a young age, Lukas has already achieved so much. His dedication and outstanding performance earned him the Trainee or Apprentice Quarterly Achievement Award in 2023.”

“Lukas is a valued and hard-working member of our team; we are all incredibly proud of him,” Ms. Pearson said.

Lukas has now progressed to a Certificate IV in Business with Work & Training, continuing his path towards success.

The TSTL program is supported and funded by the National Careers Institute, within the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Work & Training is part of the IntoWork.