Hospitality - Natacha De Barba

Read it to me!

GTOs support apprentices like Natacha to achieve their training goals

After working as a waitress in a mining town in Western Australia, Natacha De Barba moved interstate to pursue better career opportunities.

"When I moved to Victoria I settled for an office administration job, but I was so unhappy," says Natacha. "I couldn't see myself doing that sort of work in the long run. I had always loved cooking and enjoyed being in hospitality so I decided to follow my heart and took on an apprenticeship in commercial cookery, even though it was less pay to start off with than my office job."

Natacha is one of many trainees and apprentices that GTOs provide support to succeed in their chosen industry. Small-to-medium enterprises are critical to training up new entrants to industry standards, but many don't have the time or resources to provide the extra support that can make all the difference to trainees and apprentices completing their qualifications.

"I'm really lucky to be where I am and to have the support network that my GTO, Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation – WPC Group, could provide."

When Natacha began her first work placement in Frankston, travelling nearly two hours each way took a big toll on her quality of life. So, she contacted her GTO Field officer and explained the difficulty and he was able to place her with an alternative host employer much closer to home. With more free time, Natacha was free to focus on her training, and as a result was named Australian apprentice chef of the year in 2013.

Natacha says, "I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for my GTO advocating for my interests and being so supportive." When trainees need extra support, a little help from their Group Training organisation goes a long way to helping them achieve their career goals.