Resilience, positivity and commitment are three words that come to mind when we think of our latest apprentice cook to graduate. 

Kyle Bellert successfully completed his chef apprenticeship 6 weeks early last Friday with help from his DGT Employment Consultant Mal Harders and his host employer USQ. 

Kyle’s is a story of hard work and commitment that ends in an extremely successful outcome for this young lad. 

3 years ago DGT ran a programme for people who were currently unemployed and who wanted to gain an apprenticeship in the hospitality industry.

The programme ran for 6 weeks and was held in the kitchen area of St.Ursula’s college here in Toowoomba. Two of DGT’s previous trainers and qualified chefs Steve Simon and Aaron Haycock were the instructors for the students. The class had a total of 15 participants including Kyle.

Kyle, who was an extremely quite young man in the course to start with,  showed commitment and a burning desire to be there in order to excel into his chosen industry.

At the end of the programme, the head chef at St.Ursula’s was so impressed with Kyle’s positive attitude and work ethic that he offered him a full time apprenticeship in his kitchen. 

This was a fantastic outcome for Kyle and he continued to show commitment, interest and involvement with the rest of the kitchen staff and formed a strong bond with everyone there. 

With only 12 months left in his apprenticeship St.Ursulas College had to ask DGT to relocate Kyle to another host employer as they could no longer accommodate him financially. 

The team at DGT set to work. They wanted him to gain great quality exposure in the hospitality industry in another reputable kitchen to ensure he learnt different menus, procedures and how to work under different chefs. DGT were quickly able to relocate Kyle to Steele Rudd College at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).

Kyle commenced there earlier this year, displaying a wonderful work ethic in the kitchen and his efforts were rewarded last Friday when DGT officially issued him with his commercial cookery national qualification. 

The best part is now that Kyle is qualified USQ have offered him ongoing employment as a full time cook!

Mal Harders Kyle’s Employment Consultant says “Kyle has been a pleasure to mentor over the past 3 years and has been one of DGT’s quite achievers that has developed a great work ethic and shown that success is achievable with commitment and a desire to learn with a positive attitude.”

Congratulations goes out to Kyle from all the staff here at DGT, and we thank him for his dedication and commitment that he has shown as a valued employee of our company.

Register your interest in beginning your hospitality apprenticeship here. 

Looking to take on apprentices in the hospitality industry? Register your interest here.