Past
We first met Sakina Qambari in 2022, when she was named the Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year at the Australian Training Awards.
After relocating to Australia from Afghanistan, Sakina was in Year 10 when she seized the opportunity to undertake a School-based traineeship in hospitality, ultimately earning her a Certificate III in Hospitality.
New to the industry, Sakina explored a variety of opportunities to learn and gain experience, including working at a fine dining restaurant, where she honed her skills in delivering a personalised, high quality dining experience.
Present
In 2023, Sakina completed Year 12 and embraced an opportunity that completely changed the trajectory of her career! Never saying no to an opportunity, she began a traineeship at a local dental clinic, earning a Certificate III in Dental Assisting in 2024.
Despite her previous studies in hospitality, her interest in dentistry had been piqued, leading her to pursue a new career path.
“Although the industries are different, my curiosity about dental health and passion to help people improve their lives led me to take the opportunity. Based on my successful previous traineeship experience, I was confident that another traineeship would be just as supportive and engaging. This assurance made me eager to seize the opportunity without hesitation.” Sakina said.
Equipped with the skills she acquired during her traineeship, Sakina now works full-time as a Dental Assistant, confidently performing various roles within the clinic including front desk duties, sterilisation tasks and chair-side assistance to the dentist.
Future
For Sakina, helping people with their dental care is more than a career – it’s a passion. She’s determined to remain in the industry and is curious to explore the many diverse career opportunities available.
“I’ve realised my true passion is helping people with their dental care, and no matter which direction I end up going into, I’m confident it’s where I’m meant to be,” Sakina said.
Sakina is investigating pathways into different roles to advance her career within the industry.
“There are so many different pathways in the industry – whether it’s becoming a lab technician, working with prosthetic appliances or progressing to the head nurse. I’m still exploring all my options as I am still new to the industry and would like to expand my knowledge before committing to a role. It’s amazing how many different roles there are within the one industry, so you are bound to find a role that suits you best!” Sakina said.
For those considering a School-based apprenticeship or traineeship, Sakina believes it can be a life-changing opportunity, saying “it gives you an opportunity to gain real-world skills, valuable and industry experience whilst in school ultimately giving you a head start in your chosen field. It also helps to confirm your career path or explore a better suited direction. Either way, it’s a win-win, and there’s nothing to lose but heaps to gain – so why not give yourself a chance to experience it?”
We can’t wait to see the next chapter in Sakina’s journey!
Australian VET Alumni
As a member of the Australian VET Alumni, Sakina has been provided opportunities to share her journey, build new connections, and most importantly, learn from the stories of others.
“It’s been an honour and privilege interacting with amazing people and hearing their stories. It broadens your perspective of the world as well as the opportunities there are to explore,” Sakina said.
Becoming part of the Australian VET Alumni has also helped strengthen her ties to her community. Sakina is always eager to engage with others and is happy to chat with anyone in the community!
More information
Interested in exploring a career like Sakina’s? Explore VET courses on the Your Career website: