BEL recognises that transport to work is one of the biggest hurdles that young people face in the NPA. Transport to work during the week along with mentoring and encouragement is being provided during the entire traineeship.

After the traineeships are completed, BEL would like to offer further training and work to outstanding trainees.

If individuals decide that they want to pursue a career in hospitality, then BEL has the means to help trainees develop a career path. This can include a Chef Apprenticeship, training to become a future Housekeeping Supervisor, Restaurant Manager or Tavern Duty Manager, or even, in time, a Lodge or Tavern Manager. The Construction Cert 1 is a great start to be offered employment by any of the building companies operating locally, and fast tracks those who wish to pursue a carpentry apprenticeship, and the Workplace Skills traineeships equips those who may work at the BP in the future.

Even if trainees decide that they want to pursue a different career path, they still learn valuable skills and qualities that will help them for the future. This includes disciplining themselves to get up on time, a positive outlook on work, communication skills, working as a team, the ability to make mistakes and learn from them, and a “don’t give up” attitude. These qualities will benefit trainees in all areas of life.

2026 Traineeships

2026 saw 6 new trainees working across 3 business units.

Rene Bowie and Elizabeth Solomon are working at Bamaga tavern. They are being kept busy making pizzas, prepping for the chef, serving at the bar and working in the Drive Thru.

Katilah Dwyer is proving to be a reliable kitchen hand at the lodge restaurant and has even been able to turn her hand to making beautiful desserts.

Elizabeth Sebasio has found her niche at the newly installed BP kaikai van, where she serves a delicious cappuccino.

Paul Williams and Leon Bowie can be found doing anything from concreting a path to repairing a roof. Both men are enjoying being on the BEL Maintenance Team and are learning many new skills.

The first block of training has already covered RSA certificates for those in hospitality and a white card for the construction boys. Everyone has done a first aid certificate and CPR, as well as started on core units in their respective courses. We are looking forward to seeing what the rest of the course holds for all involved!

2025 Traineeships

Timena Solomon and Renetta Nona both completed Hospitality Cert 1 with full confidence! Take a look at their mocktail creations in the “Mixing of Non-Alcoholic drinks” units! Both students were offered ongoing positions at the tavern / lodge on completion of the traineeship.

2024 Traineeships

Two rounds of traineeships were completed during 2024. Aramah Tabuai, Pristy Atu, Kelly Paii, Raylene Tabuai, Norenna Solomon, Illillieh Woosup, Lillias Aniba, Patrisha Kaddy, Nathaniel Barkly, Lindsay Billy, Wilford Matthew, Allison Missi, George Mudu, Kevlin Taviliuvalu and Charlie Young all started on various traineeships.

Highlights

A big congratulations to George Mudu and Wilford Matthew who successfully completed a 6 month Construction Cert 1 Traineeship at Bamaga Enterprises. Both men learnt many valuable skills along the way. Projects that they were involved in included making the icebox for an ice machine, and fitting out the smoko room that the maintenance crew use. This involved designing the icebox, measuring and cutting all of the parts, and fitting it together and sealing. They also had to run water to the ice machine, set up and plumb a handwashing sink, and construct a wall. Now the entire crew get to benefit from their hard work.

Other projects included helping to build a retaining wall at the Bamaga Tavern, and cementing footings on cabins at the Cape York Peninsula Lodge.

The trainer from Skill 360 was very impressed with the range of skills that Bamaga Enterprises was able to expose the trainees to. He commented on the personal attention that was given to the trainees so they were helped to develop their skills in measuring, cutting etc.

Pic 1. Maintenance manager Joel Barrie (left) trainee George Mudu (centre) – building the retaining wall at Bamaga Tavern.
Pic 2. George Mudu screwing off the wall at the smoko room
Pic 3 George Mudu screwing off the wall in the smoko room – you can see the icebox on his left and the handwashing sink in the front that he helped to build.

Pic 1. Aramah Tabuai in the “Prepare and Present Sandwiches” unit.
Pic 2. Illillieh Woosup – Barista Extrordinaire!
Pic 3 Lillias Aniba proudly displaying her mocktail.

Pic 1. Lillias Aniba, Pristy Atu, Aramah Tabuai, Illilliah Woosup, Raelene Tabuai and Norenna Solomon doing their first aid course.
Pic 2. Pristy Atu working on her new laptop – proudly sponsored by BEL.

2023 Traineeships

The 2023 hospitality traineeship was a lot of fun for everyone involved! Everyone learnt a lot about life and work and themselves along the way. Eccles Tamwoy secured a position at the lodge after the traineeship finished.

Pic 1. Left to right: Scott Edwards (Instructor) Phyileah Mooka, Eccles Tamwoy, Joseph ropeyarn, Vilisi Wasiu, Zandra Woosup, Jahlillah Kusu
Pic 2. Trainee Eccles Tamwoy serving lunch platters prepared by trainees.

Pic 1. Vilisi Wasiu mixing Non Alcoholic Drinks..
Pic 2. Mocktail creation from the “Serving of non alcoholic drinks” unit.
Pic 3. First day on the job for Eccles Tamwoy and Vilisi Wasiu.

Highlights from Current Employees:

“Robin Solomon is a family man in his mid 20’s with big goals in mind for the future! Starting with the CYPL maintenance team, he has improved immeasurably over the last 12 months.