Hume’s CHIA Cadet nominated for Vocational Student of the Year 2024

The accolades keep coming for Kiara, Hume’s first recently graduated Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW cadet, now nominated for a VET Vocational Student of the Year 2024 award.

These are the premier awards for vocational education and training (VET) in NSW administered by the NSW Education Department.

“For individuals, the Awards provide the unique opportunity to celebrate their achievements and hard work,” said the Education Department on its website. 

“Nominating an individual for an award can open many doors and potentially become a stepping stone in their careers.”

The award recognises Kiara’s achievements during her time as a CHIA Cadet:

“Kiara was selected as a cadet in our program which places people who have a lived experience of social housing, hardship and or long-term unemployment into a cadetship with a community housing provider while completing their Certificate IV in Housing qualification. The goal of the program is to develop knowledge and skills for employment,” CHIA said.

This has certainly been achieved through the Cadetship course as Kiara has accepted a permanent position at Hume in the Customer Service Team.

“I chose the cadetship as I saw it as an opportunity at the right time in my life. I was feeling a bit lost with my life as I had recently lost my older brother. I was inspired to do something with my life while I was still young and it was something I really wanted to do,” said Kiara.

“When I applied for the Cadetship, I saw it as a steppingstone of where I want to go in my life. Since completing my course, I gained full-time employment with Hume as a Customer Service Officer and I’m doing something I enjoy doing every day. I enjoy helping the customers with queries and forms they may not understand how to complete. The best thing is hearing the appreciation for the work that I do.”

Overall, the Cadetship has allowed Kiara to make a mark for herself.

“The cadetship has given me confidence. Hume has believed in my potential and allowed me to grow as a person and they really value my input and work ethic.”

The VET awards also offer organisations an opportunity to show their support and commitment to VET. Hume is highly supportive of these awards and, importantly, the Cadetship program so is extremely proud that Kiara has received this nomination.

The Award winners will be determined over the next few months and a regional finalist will be announced for the 2024 NSW Training Awards to be held in November 2024.