Western Australia Apprenticeship Advisers
Marissa Dewan
Mobile: 0417 874 496 - Email
Marissa's plans for April
In April Apprenticeship Adviser Marissa Dewan will attend and run various activities including:
- Presentation to boarders at St Bridgid’s College
- Presentation to VET teachers at Instepwest
- Presentation to various Agricultural classes at Kelmscott Senior High
- Stall holder at Manjimup Career Expo
- Stall holder at Communicare Youth Connections Youth Expo
- Taster Day for Canningvale College at Serpentine Wetlands
About Marissa
Marissa Dewan is the Australian Apprenticeships Adviser for Western Australia. She grew up in country Victoria and has worked extensively with secondary schools as a teacher and outdoor recreation leader. In the training sector, Marissa has worked for RTO’s as a trainer, coordinator and project manager. Most recently Marissa worked for a Group Training Organisation in WA, which employs apprentices and trainees.
“I am excited to be working on a program which will encourage more people to take up apprenticeships in horticulture and agriculture,” Marissa said. “To get a feel for the industry I am getting out to some training institutes, agricultural colleges and farms."
Andrew Whitelaw
Mobile: 0427 683 058 - Email
Andrew Whitelaw has joined Rural Skills Australia as an Australian Apprenticeships Adviser based in Perth.
Andrew was raised in rural Scotland and he worked throughout the UK before emigrating to Australia in 2010. During Andrew’s career he has had extensive experience within agribusiness, in logistics, grain marketing, project management, quality and IT.
During his time working in agriculture he has attended and presented at various expos and field days; and during many conversations with farmers discussed the issues facing farming and rural communities. On a volunteer basis he has given talks and conducted forums with university graduates and agricultural college applicants about potential careers in agriculture and agribusiness.
In addition to Andrew’s agribusiness experience, he was a Scottish Institute for Enterprise adviser. His role was to advise and encourage students into creating their own business ventures. This involved discussing their ideas, providing support and encouragement, and advising about start-up funding available.
He is also expanding his knowledge of agriculture and rural issues academically through short courses and is currently studying (remotely) a Master in Agribusiness through the University of Queensland.
"During the past few years I have had many conversations with members of farming communities in Australia who have expressed their concerns about the diminishing numbers of young farmers," he said. "I believe that this issue will only worsen over the coming decades unless young people in both the country and city are shown how varied and satisfying a career in agriculture can be. I aim within my role, to encourage and assist young people into fulfilling careers in agriculture, and in turn strengthen rural communities."
Useful links
ONTrack - animated CD Rom
Careers in Australian Agriculture (animated resource)
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Vocational education and training information website
Australian Apprenticeship Pathways
Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Information
Trade Training Centres in Schools Program
We have prepared a more extensive cross section of links here to the website of national and state organisations. They include industry, careers and training, employment and vocational education.
Role of Apprenticeship Advisers
- Provide Australia-wide coverage to support school leavers and potential employers of agricultural and horticultural Australian Apprenticeships
- Customise high quality information and supporting resources for potential Australian Apprenticeships and employers looking for an apprentice
- Provide industry specific information about the agricultural and horticultural industries to help potential Australian Apprentices to make informed career choices
- Provide accurate, balanced and up-to-date industry specific information to potential apprentices, school leavers and agricultural and horticultural employers, through a variety of communication mediums, including the Internet, face-to-face, print, electronic, web streaming and web portal pathways
- Provide Australia-wide access through the 1800 free call hotline
- Arrange personalised follow-up support and assistance to schools, career advisers and VET coordinators
- Attend forums and career expos
- Arrange and manage a personal development day in partnership with schools, career advisers, agriculture teachers and VET coordinators in several states and regions
- Undertake visits with key school industry liaison officers