Former TAFE NSW Lithgow student, Simon Colagiuri, has turned his love for exploring the outdoors into a career path after studying a Certificate III and IV in Outdoor Recreation.
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The student is now working as a group leader at Somerset Outdoor Learning based at the Colo River near Richmond.
Mr Colagiuri said he enjoyed studying and learning from the teachers at TAFE NSW as they had so much experience having worked in the industry.
"I learnt about how to manage people and group dynamics as well as teaching hands on activities such as canoeing, bush walking and challenge high ropes," he said.
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In his role at Somerset, Mr Colagiuri takes school groups on three to four day camps and Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions between one to six days.
"It normally involves facilitating activities and supervising their experiences in the outdoors," he said.
From January 2020, TAFE NSW Lithgow students will have the opportunity to complete a traineeship with Somerset Outdoor Learning.
Somerset Outdoor Learning Traineeship Coordinator, Luke Crichton, said he was excited to work with TAFE NSW to offer students the chance to put their learning into action in the industry.
"The successful trainees will be able to assist with the activities on school camps and build up their confidence to be able to manage camps.
"Simon is one of the many Lithgow graduates who have gained employment at Somerset Outdoor Learning and it made sense for us to offer other students the opportunity to work with us as we know they will be equipped with practical skills and work experience before they even commence.
"Simon has a natural ability to develop a rapport with school students, he is also proactive and energetic. We can't wait to employ more students who share the same passion."
TAFE NSW Lithgow partners with a number of other leading outdoor education providers such as Outward Bound Australia, The Outdoor Education Group, Southbound Adventures and Boomerang Adventures to provide traineeships to students.
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