By Casey Neill
Dandenong North’s Kyle Hillbrich is juggling caring for his dad with studies and part-time work – and he’s only 16.
Chisholm Institute teacher Janis Mitchell announced her “lovely ex-student” as the Youth Enterprise Award nominee at the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Awards breakfast in Springvale on Wednesday 12 October.
She first met Kyle in September last year in her foundation VCAL class.
“He got through a 20-week course in 10 weeks,” she said.
“Kyle did exactly the same thing with certificate two in general education. He slowed down in certificate three because he got a part-time job.”
Kyle had applied for dozens of jobs with no luck but after help from Chisholm to write a resume and cover letter, he applied for a job at Hollier Dicksons in Dandenong South.
“Twenty minutes after I applied for that job I got a call asking when could I start,” he said.
Ms Mitchell said Kyle had a lot of domestic responsibilities on top of study and work as he was the carer for his dad.
“He has got his learner’s so he can drive his dad to appointments in his own car, which he has saved up for,” she said.
Kyle will start VCE next year and plans to study early childhood education.
“In six years hopefully I’ll be in a school teaching Grade 3s,” he said.
“Teachers helped me to get where I am.
“Apparently in England they’ve got a fair few jobs for male teachers so, hopefully, I can travel.”
