Taking on a trainee can be a significant step for any business, but in remote parts of Australia, it can be hugely challenging.
For Fitzroy Crossing business owners Chris and Sally Towne and their new management trainee Faith Atwell it has been a life-changing decision.
For the Townes, it's the culmination of a two-year commitment to taking on more local workers, part of an agreement with the Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH).
For Ms Atwell, a Gooniyandi and Walmajarri woman, it's the start of something new.
"I was in disbelief that I got the role as it was something that was brand new to me," Ms Atwell said.
"There's not a lot of opportunities in Fitzroy, so to have this presented … it feels amazing."
Since graduating high school, she has dabbled in various reception positions and even a short university stint, but nothing sparked her passion.
The traineeship, alongside a scholarship to complete a Certificate IV in Business came up and Ms Atwell took the jump.
FISH chief executive Mark Anderson believes getting Ms Atwell on board is an investment in the community.
"We have a very strong focus to train up local people into management," he said.
"That's one of the things that we're doing with Faith. We want to train her up to move into a managerial role, not just be on the floor."
Travelling to study
Many young people in the Kimberley travel hundreds of kilometres from their homes to work and study, but sometimes being away from family and country takes a toll.
Ms Atwell was relieved to have this opportunity in her hometown after she left university in Perth to be back on country.
"I got really badly homesick," she said.
"I needed to go back and have a moment to gather myself."
Ms Atwell hopes her traineeship will open the door for other women in the valley to find employment without having to move away.
"There's a lot of young girls in this community that are looking for work," she said.
"I would really love to see within Fitzroy Crossing more opportunities to get youth trained within these roles."
Collaborating with the community
Like many towns in the Kimberley, Fitzroy Crossing has had its fair share of issues with youth crime.
Businesses in the town are regular victims of break-ins and repairs are costly.
Despite the hardship, Mrs Towne's passion to help young people in the community has not dwindled.
"It's definitely made it difficult and provided challenges," she said.
"But if anything, it's probably increased our desire to help because it's as a result of the social issues in the town."
The couple has spent seven years in Fitzroy Crossing and has taken a warm approach to connecting with residents.
"We're doing what we can to employ the locals and help them grow and develop in that retail space," Mrs Towne said.
The store is one of three in the north-west and the couple is working closely with FISH to take on more trainees around the region.
