Latitia receives immense amount of learning support from CQUni while completing her BHP traineeship

Latitia Briggs always dreamed of working in a trade in the mining industry and CQUniversity's Learning Support Services have helped her make that dream a reality.

The Githabul/Yidinji woman relocated to Mackay from the Atherton Tablelands to take up a traineeship with BHP in 2020 and is currently studying a Certificate II in Engineering - Production Technology with CQUni through BHP's Future Fit Academy. She commences this week with BHP as a Heavy Diesel Fitter – Maintenance Associate.

"Becoming a tradesperson has been a dream of mine for many years - to set my life up for both myself and my son and inspire others to do the same," she said.

"I wanted to have an opportunity to not only give my son the life he deserves, but to be a role model in his life to show him what he one day could be capable of.

"This opportunity with BHP and the traineeship has changed my life immensely."

She said CQUni's support during her traineeship has been immense.

"Maths, Literacy and Technology have never been my strong points. CQU has taken the time to sit down with me and teach me in ways in which I understand and am now able to achieve on my own," she said.

"They have given me the confidence and knowledge in being able to complete my assessments successfully."

She said she has used CQU's Learning Support Services on different occasions.

"I reached out to (VET Learning Support Lead Vocational Teacher) Leonie Keating to have private lessons and she walked me through the equations by breaking each one down step by step to help me clearly understand," she said.

"I have also struggled with literacy and Leonie was kind enough to put together some work sheets for me to complete along with giving me private lessons.

"Although I feel as though I could have passed this traineeship without the support of Learning Support, I would have struggled and potentially had to re-sit more assessments.

"Having Learning Support there has given me the confidence to complete assessments successfully with a lot less stress."

Her traineeship is very diverse and her daily tasks can include component removal and installation, filter and oil changing on both haul trucks and bulldozers, inspections on all equipment, use of hand tools and power tools for fabrication. She has also acquired other certifications such as rigging and forklift operation.

Latitia is due to graduate from the Certificate II in April but she already has new study plans on the horizon.

"My dream is to become a fully-qualified tradeswoman. Once I completed my Certificate II, I hope to continue advancing my skillset and studies and become a qualified Heavy Diesel Fitter mechanic," she said.

"In the future I would like to find myself in a leadership role so my skillset can grow and I can then pass my knowledge on to others."

Each FutureFit Academy student is employed into a permanent position within BHP's Operations Services team and once trained and qualified' graduates will be deployed to one of BHP's operational sites.

CQUni Learning Support is available to all apprentices and trainees. The learning support team assists students who need additional support in language' literacy and numeracy during their study. 

To find out more about how we can help visit https://www.cqu.edu.au/student-life/new-students/student-support/learning-support