VET Cadet Program

Writing a resume can be daunting! Below are some tips to help you write a great resume.

Contact details

Start with the basics such as your name, phone number, email address (make sure it’s a professional sounding one) and LinkedIn profile link.

Professional summary

This should be a brief description of your applicable experience. This summary should prove your value and help to differentiate you from your competition. Avoid describing what you’d like from your next job and instead focus on what you can offer.

Skills summary

List the systems, skills and competencies that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. Use keywords from the position description here too.

Work experience

This should be listed in reverse order, beginning with the most recent. Include employer names, position held, period of employment and your primary responsibilities in the role.

For each role, you should then list your key achievements in this role, supported by facts, statistics or links where possible. Listing your achievements in the role will demonstrate you can successfully add value to an organisation.

Education & qualifications

Keep it concise by listing the qualification obtained, year of completion and the institution’s name.

References

You can include two recent and relevant references or simply note ‘Provided upon request’.

It is recommend that your resume is cleanly formatted in Microsoft Word with no graphics, images, fancy formatting or fonts.

Finally, don't forget to spell check your resume and remove any acronyms!

If you would like any assistance with your resume and/or job application skills, please do not hesitate to contact Paula Meneses or email talentprograms@transport.nsw.gov.au

This month is Mental Health Month and tomorrow is World Mental Health Day!

There will be a morning tea held at our Lee Street office tomorrow at 10am on the Level 2 veranda. Please feel free to go along and hear from some speakers and learn some practical exercises you can do to manage your wellbeing.

There are also a number of resources and support services available to you should you need them.

Staywell

Earlier this year a new mental health and wellness program was launched for everyone called Staywell. It’s all about creating a safe and healthy workplace where everyone knows it’s OK, and in fact encouraged, to ask for and get support.

The Staywell program includes events, training courses, an online hub and a network of mental health first aiders who provide support in the workplace.

Mental Health First Aiders

Right across the state, TfNSW is building a network of volunteer Mental Health First Aiders who are trained to recognise the warning signs and provide confidential advice and support.

Mental Health First Aiders are an avenue of support where you can confidentially discuss your issues and receive advice on potential next steps.

For more information on the program visit Staywell or to contact a Mental Health First Aider click here.

Employee Assistance Program

If you feel like you could benefit from talking to a professional, don’t put it off. The Employee Assistance Program offers professional support and coaching for those times when you need support or simply when you want to improve your health and wellbeing so you can be the best you can be.

Transport for NSW and Sydney Metro	1300 360 364

Recently 2018 VET Cadet, Tullarah Simpson, had the exciting opportunity to attend the 8th Indigenous Women's Leadership Summit where Indigenous women from across the country gathered to reflect on cultural heritage and helped each other refine leadership strengths, paving the way for the next generation of Indigenous women leaders.

Here Tullarah shares her experience:

On the 27^th of August I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend the 8^th Indigenous Women’s Leadership Summit for the week. The summit was held at the Intercontinental Hotel in the Sydney CBD. I was amongst a group of powerful and inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and had the chance to hear their stories, successes, challenges and understand their way of leading. The one thing I took away from the summit is that every one of us is a leader in some way, shape or form. We all lead in our own way and don’t have to be on the top of the ladder to be a leader. It was an inspiring and motivating week and a reminder to always remember “that successful Indigenous woman is not your competition, she is your sister”.

Hi everyone,

Today is R U OK? Day!

It’s a time to reflect and prioritise your own well-being but also of those around you. I encourage you all the reach out to each other, check in with your fellow colleagues, loved ones and community. You don't need to be an expert, just a good listener. If you notice someone who might be struggling, start a conversation. A simple chat can transform their day!

This is also a perfect opportunity to utilise the tools and resources that we are fortunate to have access to.

· Watch a video to learn the simple steps on how to ask “R U OK?”

· Check out the new resources now available on the Staywell Hub

· Get free support through the Staywell Hub or contacting Benestar

· Visit the R U OK? Website for more information and resources

· Check out our Livewell initiatives and stay in the know by subscribing to the Livewell eLetter.

· Connect with one of our employee networks or the Aboriginal On-line Community available across the cluster

Transport is holding an event tomorrow at the Level 2 veranda, 18 Lee Street from 10.30am including free barista coffee, light snacks and guest speakers. You are welcome to attend this event, please just let your managers know.

Have a great day!

A very big congratulations to Danea Roubekas who has won a role as an Administration Assistant in the Infrastructure and Place Division of TfNSW.

Danea commenced the VET Cadet program in 2017, spending the two years of her program in a placement with Roads and Maritime Services. A great opportunity became available after Danea's program to join the Rail Service Planning team in TfNSW where Danea has taken on the role of providing administrative support to the Director Rail Service Planning and the wider team.

We couldnt be more excited to see Danea join a very friendly and welcoming team where she can continue her career in Transport. We wish Danea all the best in her new role!

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for our 2020 Vocational Education and Training (VET) Cadet Surveying program.

The VET Cadet Surveying Program is a structured three-year development program, where participants will gain professional experience by working on transport infrastructure projects, whilst completing a Certificate III, IV and Diploma in Surveying through Tafe NSW.

Please click on the links below to view the details for the program.

Current opportunities are available regionally in Bega and Wagga Wagga. Applications close Sunday 15^th September 2019.

If you or anyone you know that's interested have any questions about the program or the recruitment process, please email talentprograms@transport.nsw.gov.au

2018 VET Cadets, Brittany Madden and Tullarah Simpson were part of the winning table at the recent Transport NAIDOC Trivia Event. Their prize was an exclusive breakfast with Preston Campbell. Brittany writes about her experience below.

On the 23^rd of July I attended the NAIDOC Trivia winner’s breakfast with Preston Campbell at the NCIE in Redfern.

The morning started off with delicious breakfast and the chance to get to catch up with the other trivia winners.

After breakfast we all took our seats and Preston started off with an acknowledgement and discussed how important it is to show Respect, Responsibility and Reciprocity.

Preston then spoke to us about Tingha where he was raised and how the disadvantages his community faced encouraged him to give back to the community.

Preston spoke about many things such as his family, football career, mental health and his foundation.

The Preston Campbell Foundation develops programs and opportunities, which inspire and mentor participants to achieve their aspirations and dreams.

To have breakfast and hear Prestons Campbell’s story was an amazing experience.

Thanks Brittany for sharing your experience and giving us a little insight into your breakfast with Preston!

Tomorrow is a very special day in the Transport calendar as we officially launch our Reconciliation Action Plan in Newcastle.

As individuals who work in the public sector, we all have a responsibility to increase our understanding of Aboriginal history and cultures.

Our Transport Reconciliation Action Plan will guide us on our journey towards supporting increased opportunities for Aboriginal staff and ensuring our people, practices and services are truly inclusive of our Aboriginal colleagues and communities. It will also create more opportunities for us to partner with local Aboriginal communities and businesses.

Click here to hear what our people think about why it’s important for Transport to have a Reconciliation Action Plan.

Stay tuned for information about road show dates across the state!

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Transport's NAIDOC Trivia event held at the UTS Aerial function centre. This event brought together 200 indigenous and non-indigenous people across Transport to celebrate NAIDOC and participate in a trivia challenge based on the history, sports, arts and general knowledge of Aboriginal people.

It was alot of fun and a great opportunity to network with our Transport colleagues. I was seated at a table with Ben Lowe, Ben Hooper-Matthias and 3 of our Aboriginal HSC Scholars who had come to Sydney for two days of orientation with Transport. It was great to see our HSC Scholars enjoying the event and getting a feel for the Transport community.

VET Cadets, Brittany Madden, Christine Saunders and Danea Roubekas were part of the table that won the trivia, winning an exclusive breakfast with Preston Campbell! Congrats ladies - I look forward to hearing all about it!

The event also saw the presentation of Transport’s Reconciliation Action Plan artwork, Our Songlines are Calling, by Aboriginal artist Frances Belle Parker. The artwork will feature on our Reconciliation Action Plan that will be launched on 9 August.

A special mention also to Christine Saunders who did an amazing job of MC at the NAIDOC event for Infrastructure and Place Division - Well done Christine!

For more information about how Transport celebrated NAIDOC week visit the TfNSW Intranet.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

The 2019 NAIDOC Week theme is VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH. Let’s work together for a shared future.

There will be a number of events held across various Transport offices to celebrate NAIDOC week. Please speak with your manager to find out the details of your local office event.

For those based in the Sydney metropolitan area, there will be a Transport event held as per the below details.

Event details

Date: Wednesday 10 July 2019

Start time: 11.00am registration for 11.30 start

Concludes: 2.00pm

Location: Aerial UTS Function Centre, Level 7, UTS Building 10, 235 Jones Street, Ultimo

RSVP by: Friday 5 July 2019