Casual work has become more than a right of passage for Maitland High School student Jade Ernst who has picked up a national award.
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The 17-year-old aims to study criminal law at university, but was eager to earn more than a bit of pocket money in her HSC years.
“I wanted a job where I could gain a qualification and better myself,” Jade said.
The East Maitland girl enrolled in a Retail Certificate II with group training organiser MIGAS in 2013.
Each week she attends TAFE and works a minimum eight hours with host business Maitland Reading Cinema between her important HSC studies.
Jade was recognised for her efforts in June when she won the MIGAS NSW School-Based Trainee of the Year.
This month she’s topped that as the national school-based trainee of the year. Jade ranked highly in her safe work practices, friendly customer service and problem solving skills.
“Between her HSC study, her traineeship, her work here and volunteer work on the Cancer Council Relay for Life committee, she’s had to juggle a lot,” cinema manager Yvette Cavanagh said.
“She’s very good in customer service.”
Jade collected the award at the Brisbane Cricket Ground on June 19.
The East Maitland girl beat hundreds of school-based trainees for the honour.
Jade is the second recipient of the MIGAS award who has worked at Maitland Reading Cinema in the past 10 years.