A former West Wyalong Miss Showgirl winner is eyeing her third TAFE NSW qualification as her career in business administration continues to flourish. 

Lauren Voveris, 25, was announced as a finalist for a Training Services NSW Riverina Regional Training Award last month after completing a Certificate III in Business Administration and a Certificate IV in Business Administration as part of a traineeship with Lord and Wells Optometrists. 

The 2018 Miss Showgirl winner, who started as a receptionist in the local business, has been promoted to now co-manage accounts and plans to study a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping to help supercharge her career. 

According to the Federal Government’s Job Outlook report, business administration jobs are in a steep growth phase nationally, with 231,500 workers expected to be employed in the field by 2022, while more than 100,000 bookkeepers are currently employed nationally. 

Ms Voveris said a part-time job in the front office at a local primary school in her early 20s ignited an unlikely love affair with business administration. 

“I found out I really loved it; I loved dealing with people and I loved being the first point of contact for people coming in,” Ms Voveris said. 

She secured a job in reception at Lord and Wells in 2018, while still studying her Certificate III in Business Administration, and the optometrist agreed to support her as a work-based trainee during her Certificate IV in Business Administration studies. She has since been given the added responsibility of co-managing the business’s accounts. 

“If it wasn’t for TAFE NSW, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” she said. “My teacher was amazing and she was always there to give me extra help if needed. I now want to advance my career and try to step up even further.”   

TAFE NSW West Wyalong Business Administration Teacher Angela Prest said the Certificate III is the minimum requirement for business administration roles in most local organisations.  

“The course equips students with some well-rounded skills that they can take anywhere,” Ms Prest said.  “You’re always employable if you have the Certificate III in Business Administration.  

“Great administration, personal and executive assistants are highly sought after in nearly every industry,” Ms Prest said. 

She said the Certificate III in Business Administration included 15 hours a week at TAFE NSW West Wyalong over two days but said the course offered the flexibility to allow students to complete those hours from home or the workplace.  

The course can also be studied online, where and when it suits students, through TAFE Digital.  

To find out more about studying at TAFE NSW West Wyalong for semester two, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au. 

Media contact: Emma Woodward, TAFE NSW Public Relations Coordinator, 0409 618 291, emma.woodward15@tafensw.edu.au