At the end of 2017, Swan River Sailing was approached by SEDA WA (Secondary Education Schooling) to become a Peak Work Placement for a year 12 student in 2018. The team had never heard of SEDA before, but were keen to see what this opportunity was all about.
As it states on SEDA’s website, SEDA Group is the leader of hands on education for year 11 & 12 students. SEDA partners with peak industry organisations to provide their students unique opportunities and experiences specific to their interests. SEDA’s students receive a tailored
career plan to develop key employability and life skills for a successful fu
ture. After realising how innovative and, simply AWESOME, SEDA is, we just had to make this opportunity happen!
Our 2018 work placement student, Faith Versaci, whom we have had in our office and on the water as our ‘Community Sailing Events Assistant’ since April this year, will complete her high school studies with SEDA at the end of this month. Thanks to SEDA, Faith will graduate year 12 not only with a high school certificate, but also a Certificate III in Sport & Recreation!
This year, Faith has been an integral part of the development, organisation and execution of both the 2018 College Cup and 2018 Womens State Keelboat Championships that were both held back in May at the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. Since then, behind the scenes, Faith has been using her gained experience and understanding to assist with developing the events further in 2019. Faith has also been a great hand out on the water with her assistance greatly appreciated onboard some of our corporate and team building charters and familiarisation sails!
Nearing the end of her time with us, we asked Faith about her experience with SEDA and being a part of the Swan River Sailing Team… here’s what she had to say;
“SEDA has helped me gain industry experience and work with industry experts. This year I have had the opportunity to complete my workplace learning hours in one of their ‘Peak Experience’ placements, Swan River Sailing. This b
usiness was just what I was looking for; previously I had completed my workplace learning hours at a Primary school but this year I wanted to challenge myself to do something different and out of my comfort zone.
At Swan River Sailing it has
been nothing but that. I have been c
hallenged with many tasks and developed many office skills I intend to use in the future. Every day has been different coming into the office; for example, one day I would be completing event organisation tasks or learning basic administration skills and the next time I would be an assistant on a corporate booking out on the boats or sitting in on the team building activities. My experience was a perfect balance, not only with the work based tasks but with my supervisors and clients.
In my placement I have felt supported by my supervisors, Andy and Georgia. They always made sure I was comfortable with the tasks at hand and always made themselves available for questions. My experience at Swan River Sailing has given me great networking and voluntary opportunities. I have loved being part of the team, extending my skills and taking all the opportunities this placement has to offer.
I would like to say
a big thank you to Swan River Sailing for letting me be a part of their business, it has been an honour working alongside both Andy and Georgia and being the first SEDA student. Thank you for all the different tasks, learning opportunities and networking support. It was an eye opening experience to be a part of the sailing industry and I can’t wait to see Swan River Sailing grow! “
Faith has been such a delight to have around Swan River Sailing HQ and will be greatly missed, but, will continue to be a part of the team by offering to volunteer her time at future Swan River Sailing events, like the upcoming Discover Sailing & Boating Activation at the Club Marine Perth International Boat Show later this month.
We are wishing Faith all the best in her future endeavours and proud to be working with such a fantastic organisation like SEDA, helping grow the next generation of industry professionals!