[Pictured: First Nations School-based Trainee Xander at the Adelaide Festival Centre with ‘Purrumpa Weaving.]
‘It feels great to be in an environment that accepts me’.
It’s what we all seek, but it was especially heartening to hear it from 17-year-old Maxima customer Xander who is completing a First Nations school-based traineeship at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
Xander is balancing one day a week working at the epicentre of Adelaide’s arts scene with completing their SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education).
‘Working behind the scenes at one of the largest theatres in the country has not only improved my appreciation for all aspects of theatre and live performance, but the extra SACE credits help to free up space for my schoolwork, making sure I don’t fall behind while I’m not at school.’
Xander first heard about the traineeship when Maxima Indigenous Employment Consultant Amanda Saunders attended the Indigenous Education Room (known as a Nunga room) at Reynella East College to promote school-based traineeships through Maxima.
‘I was just sort of zoning out to start with when Amanda was talking about traineeships, because I knew I wasn’t interested in being a tradie, which is what I thought traineeships were all about. When Amanda mentioned the Adelaide Festival Centre as an option, I really started to pay attention.’
Every day at work is different for Xander, and they have worked across a number of departments over the course of the traineeship. One of many highlights was a project Xander worked on with recently-graduated Maxima First Nations school-based trainee, Paige, to devise strategies to attract young people to the theatre.
Xander and Paige brainstormed ideas, shortlisted them and presented a pitch comprising multiple strategies to the executive team for consideration. At least one of them was approved to progress, so Xander is looking forward to seeing the ideas come to life.
‘Being in the same room with some of the most important people I’ve ever met, and being able to present ideas to them whilst feeling like an equal was an experience like no other,’ Xander said.
The Adelaide Festival Centre is a great match for a creative brain like Xander’s – they are interested in being a novelist and playwright and love writing as a creative art because ‘there’s such a low barrier to entry. It’s not like learning music theory, or sculpture, or how to draw. If you can hold a pen or use a keyboard, you can write’.
Xander is now a published author, with two of their short stories appearing in an anthology called Hyperfocus* in which autistic and neurodivergent writers were challenged to ‘weaponise’ their special interests and to ‘write short pieces with full abandon’. While seeing their words in print has been a fun experience, Xander loves to write just for their own enjoyment.
‘If someone else enjoys my writing, that’s a bonus,’ they said.
Claire George is the Manager, Human Resources, at Adelaide Festival Centre and says having a trainee on board is really valuable, as they bring a different perspective.
‘I’ve seen Xander grow into the traineeship, becoming more confident and comfortable as they’ve worked across various departments. But equally, Xander has brought new ideas and a different energy to the team.
‘I’d recommend any employer look into partnering with Maxima and being open to bringing on a trainee. Not only is it the right thing to do, but there are also benefits all round, and Maxima is there every step of the way.’
Xander appreciates the opportunities presented by the traineeship and said ‘working with Amanda and the wonderful people at Maxima has opened my eyes to what is possible if I just give something a go and not be afraid. If we let fear shackle us, we won’t achieve anything. But with the help of our peers, courage in our hearts, and a dash of confidence, nothing is out of reach.’
To find out more about First Nations school-based apprenticeships with Maxima, click here.
For more general information on apprenticeships and traineeships with Maxima, click here.
*Hyperfocus, an anthology from Spectrum Writing, is available as a free eBook here.