Welcome to Our Very First eNews...

More than 40 years ago I stepped into the kitchen of the Barrow Creek Pub to follow my first passion of Cooking.

Ever since that day I have been involved in Hospitality Training in some way - either as Learner or Trainer, - as I immersed myself in developing various business enterprises in many parts of our vast Northern Territory.

As our businesses have changed and developed, so we have grown and refined our own Customer Service and Hospitality skills. These days I feel very privileged to be able to step out of the kitchen, and concentrate on my second passion – passing on the learning of half a lifetime to the next generation – and in particular to some of the wonderful First Australians who are now joining our Future Stars Hospitality and Lifeskills Program.

This, our first eNews, is a glimpse of our journey into the Training World. We are very excited at the successes we witness each and every day, as our Future Stars explore their own abilities, and gain confidence to embrace the many jobs and careers that are opening to them. Indigenous Australians are gracious hosts, and with their amazing smiles, are naturals at many facets of hospitality.

We hope you will enjoy meeting some of us, and sharing our stories... better still, we welcome you to become involved and assist us as we work to Close the Gap!

Best wishes,

Karen Sheldon
Managing Director
Karen Sheldon Training & Development

And They’re Off And Racing!

Participants of the current Future Stars Hospitality Course worked at the Darwin Turf Club on Wednesday, 14th July during Day 3 of the Darwin Cup Carnival – Ladies Day.

Thousands of fillies frocked up and flocked to the race course and 16 of our Future Stars were there to greet them.
The trainees worked in various areas including the Toyota Ladies Day Marquee, which catered for over 800 ladies.

Turf Club management expressed their delight at the skill level and enthusiasm the Future Stars presented. It was smiles all round when our Stars put their hard earned skills to the test on such a busy day. Whether it was serving the magnificent three course luncheon, clearing dishes or keeping the champagne glasses full, their eagerness to make sure everyone had a fantastic customer experience was evident.

The Darwin Turf Club acknowledged the great work done by the trainees and have guaranteed places for them during the rest of the Carnival.

Welcome Aboard!

Karen Sheldon Training & Development welcomes Westpac as our newest employer.

Through their Indigenous Employment Program, Westpac has committed to employing a number of our trainees in various locations in Darwin.

Kristy Munnich graduated from our last course and was thrilled to learn she was accepted as Westpac’s latest recruit. Kristy will commence a Cert II in Financial Services on August 3rd at the Casuarina branch and was excited to meet her future Manager and fellow staff members.

Karen Sheldon Training & Development Mentors will be working closely with Kristy to give her all the encouragement and assistance she may require over the coming months to achieve her goals.

Movin' Down the Track...

“We are really enjoying the Course – thank you so much for helping us get into work!"

This is a typical comment from our latest Future Stars –Indigenous jobseekers from Katherine, 300 km south of Darwin - ”down the track”.

We are very impressed with the commitment of the Job Agencies in Katherine, who have been so welcoming, and can’t do enough to assist us down here. Thanks go to Nathan and Helen from the wonderful Paraway Motel, who are allowing us to use their facilities for the course and so giving our trainees real-life hospitality experience. We all want the same thing – Indigenous faces fronting the businesses that service the amazing Dry Season tourist trade that floods the town from May till September... visitors who come to the Territory to find out more about our First Australians...

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A Special Thanks to all the Future Stars
who worked at the V8 Supercars!

Karen Sheldon Catering has been a major caterer for The Hidden Valley sector of the Australian V8 Supercars for the past 6 years. It is a wonderful work place experience for our Future Stars.

Our Monster Cafe is located in the centre of the Hidden Valley Track and is fully planned and operated by our trainees. We are constantly amazed at the level of energy, enthusiasm, longevity and professionalism displayed by our trainees, and we receive a high level on interest from potential employers. This event is a buzz for us all!

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AEC Breakfast - Karen Sheldon Training
teams up with Generation ONE

A Word from AEC...

Hi Karen and the team,

I would like to say an enormous thank you for the outstanding job you did in providing the catering for the Business Leaders Breakfast and launch of Generation One at Kantillas Function Centre recently. The 160 guests from the business community of Darwin and surrounds and the many dignitaries including Andrew and Nicola Forrest, His Honour the Administrator, Tom Pauling, and the Honourable Chief Minister Paul Henderson among others, found the quality of the food, presentation and the service outstanding.

The performance of your many Indigenous trainees in serving the guests was inspiring and provided the perfect environment for the Australian Employment Covenant and its affiliated projects to host the local business community.

Your dedication to making the event very special for us is greatly appreciated.

Jacqueline Lahne
Manager
Australian Employment Covenant

Watch ABC News Coverage  

Call to Action...
Do you think it is Time for Change?

Are you ready to take the challenge and assist to Close the Gap?

We can show you how your business can benefit by employing Indigenous Australians. The steps are small...the rewards are HUGE.

We will walk with you all the way.

Talk to a Karen Sheldon Training Business Development Manager today!