The winner of the 2013 TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Study Scholarship is no stranger to study, having changed career paths three times before finding his true niche.
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Former Young boy, 30-year-old Matthew Holt, walked a varied path before winning a job as a Tourism Assistant with Wagga Wagga City Council.
He says his wide-ranging experience played a part in him landing on his feet.
“All those experiences and the skills I’ve gained over the past 10 years are put to good use in my current role,” said Matthew who is eager to further his study through the scholarship.
After completing his HSC at Young High School, Matthew began a traineeship in agriculture with an organic farm near Wombat.
In 2002 Matthew left Young to study full time at the Riverina Institute’s Primary Industries Centre in North Wagga where the then 19-year-old undertook a Certificate III in Horticulture.
In 2003 he landed a job as a surveyor’s assistant in Wagga Wagga and used his skills and experience to successfully assist in surveying and farm work.
In 2006 a Contiki tour of Europe changed Matthew’s vocational direction yet again.
After a seven week vacation Matthew refocussed his attention on travel and tourism as the profession he wanted to pursue.
He enrolled in a Certificate III in Tourism (International Retail Travel Sales) at Riverina Institute’s Wagga Wagga Campus and began work experience at the Wagga Wagga Visitor Information Centre.
Matthew’s enthusiasm and natural aptitude for tourism paid off and he was appointed to the position full time in 2008 and soon after was given responsibility for the Evocities Campaign and is part of a local team which promotes Wagga Wagga as a thriving innovative and connected city – the perfect place to live, work and invest.
“I really love this role,” said Matthew. “It’s challenging and rewarding and council have been a really great and supportive employer. They support me educationally and in my community activities, allowing me to share my knowledge with my colleagues and the broader community.”
“There are always opportunities at Council to develop your career and they allow you to develop life skills too,” said Matthew.
“In a way, TAFE are very similar in so far as they are very supportive, flexible and the teachers are fantastic,” he said.
As the winner of the 2013 TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Study Scholarship, Matthew will undertake the Diploma of Tourism at the Institute’s Wagga Wagga Campus in 2013.
“The Diploma is a challenge and I like challenges,” said Matthew. “It’s more managerial so this will be a step towards my future career with the council and I’ll be able to apply my knowledge immediately in my role.”
Matthew says he would like to further his career in Tourism or Economic Development with Wagga Wagga City Council.
“I’m open to any opportunity that presents itself,” he said.
