Adam Galpin

My background is I was working in the retail environment in the private sector for a fashion store. Then I heard about the traineeships in government so I applied for one of them.  I was recruited through the internet.  They registered my name.  They sent out an application package which I filled out and sent in.  I had an interview within a month of sending it through and it was the first interview I got.  My experience in the department, I started as a trainee, obviously, working in the accounts payable area, which is paying of accounts.  I was then moved into Projects Support which is more hands on in the projects than the administrative side of each individual contract and now I'm currently working as a Procurement Officer, which is dealing with the contracts side of things and the legal between the government and the builders.  I love most about my job the fact that I get to work with different ages.  Varying different people, different ages and backgrounds just coming together to get the job done and it's just interesting to see how I'm working with these people and just clicking with them in my environment.  At the moment I'm where I want to be.  I see myself, I'd like to get into management roles which I believe I'm on the path to do if I take on different roles and just getting an understanding of how the department works.  My plans for the future are to establish myself as a vital employee for DTEI, continue my work in the procurement area and hopefully get into the management positions if the opportunity arises.

Alison Croker
Trainee Service SA, Kadina
(Trainee)

A respectable career with job security was my ambition.  That's why I decided to sign up for the Government Traineeship Program and also enrolled at the Kadina TAFE in Certificate II in Business.
One month prior to completing Certificate II in Business and Certificate III in Business Administration, I received a letter from Service SA, a division of the department, inviting me to an interview for the traineeship at the Kadina office. 
A week later my new manager told me that I had won the traineeship.
I've met some very lovely people along the way, and think this job is a "mixed trades" position.  I provide customer service to the public and process office administration work.  Each and every day is different as well as challenging.  That is what I love most about this position.  There is always something to do so no one will ever get bored.  It is so versatile and there is so much to remember.  We are ambassadors for government and an agency for other departments as well.
I am now doing long distance study one day per week for the Certificate III in Government.  So far I have found this experience to be a unique one.
I enjoy my work so much that I would like to further my career within Service SA beyond this traineeship!

Amie Horner
Senior Consultant, Community Engagement
(Journalist graduate)

I moved to Adelaide to commence a Journalism Degree and Diploma in Language and Culture Studies after completing my secondary education at Port Augusta High.  I also worked part-time in the retail industry to support my tertiary education.
After gaining my degree, I joined DTEI as a Graduate Officer in Community Engagement, working with the Port River Expressway and Le Fevre Peninsula Transport Corridor project teams.  I was attracted to the flexibility of the department and the training it provided graduates.
The Graduate Development Program increased my understanding of government and was an excellent opportunity to network with fellow graduates across the SA Public Sector.  I was very impressed with the level of support and development during my time as a graduate.
I am now the Senior Consultant, Community Engagement for the Port River Expressway and LeFevre Peninsula Transport Corridor projects.  I have gained valuable experience working on the Port River Expressway project and maintained strong networks with the contractor, key stakeholders and the project team.  I am definitely where I want to be at the moment!  I love the position that I am currently working in - it is challenging, exciting and rewarding.

Andrew Bosco
A/Regional Manager, Mid North Region
(Civil Engineer graduate)

I left school at the end of Year 11, aged 15, and spent the next 11 years working in various jobs including welder, carpenter, plant operator, labourer, and drillers offsider (seismic and water).
I wanted to be an engineer and went on to complete Year 12 and the necessary pre requisites to begin my Civil Engineering degree.
During and after my studies, I worked in Built Environs on a $150m project.  Although the work was exciting, I had to work long hours and it was common to work 6 days a week.  A couple of my friends were working in DTEI and told me about their decent pay and excellent working conditions.  I wanted what they had, and decided to apply for a position.
I won a temporary position with the department as a construction engineer in Port Augusta.  The work was great, the people I worked with were experienced and helpful.  I also had flexi-time to compensate for the additional hours in work.
The department has supported me professionally through various technical courses and seminars.  Through attending on-going development programs, I was able to understand how government works.  Since then, I have taken on various jobs in the department by building on my previous experiences.  My current role involves managing 40 employees in the Mid North Region.
I strongly encourage new civil engineering graduates to consider building their careers in DTEI.  It has provided me with valuable experiences, training and challenges while allowing me to maintain my lifestyle.

Andrew Falkenberg
Senior Surveyor, Contracts and Standards
(Surveyor from Private Sector)

I came to the department 12 months ago with approximately 25 years experience in the private sector.  I was employed as a licensed surveyor and director of a medium sized survey firm.  My reasons for joining the public service was to experience working in a larger organisation and to have flexibility of hours to correct my work/life balance.
The most enjoyable part of working within the department has been the opportunity to develop my skills in different areas.  I have had some involvement in the development of the survey section and have been included on the coordination team.
From a contract management perspective, the most satisfying project has been the Northern Expressway development.  I administered a contract to supply aerial photography for the 25 kilometre proposed route between Port Wakefield Road and Gawler.
My plans for the future are to assist in the development of a more structured data collection methodology within the department.  The capture and maintenance of data sets are planned to be managed in a more integrated format.