Support program helps women succeed

THE first cohort of women involved in a specially designed TAFE course program have completed their studies.

WomenCAN Australia launched the initiative, called the Placement Circle, in Bendigo earlier this year to assist those starting out in, or making a return to, the workforce.

Judy McGrath recently achieved her certificate three in aged care with the program and said it gave her the support she needed to get through her studies, which included a physically demanding placement.

“For me, it was like having this security blanket around me because you knew that there were people there you could turn to,” she said.

“Because we’d gotten to know each other as a small group, I was more comfortable asking questions of the small group rather than the entire group of TAFE.

“It was lovely to know that they were there for you, and they’d advocate for us with anything that we might need financial assistance with.

“My intention is hopefully to work with the elderly in the community, so I’ll be looking at providers that do that sort of service.

“I’ll be able to make a difference, that’s what I’m hoping to do, to make a difference in someone’s life.”

Coordinator of the project, Carla Langley, said its support for women throughout their job training meant they weren’t left to go through “daunting” TAFE and work processes on their own.

“A lot of the women have said that without this program they wouldn’t have continued, particularly women that have struggled,” she said.

“You can so easily just pull out of something if no one is saying ‘come on’ and there’s no people lifting you up.”

Ms Langley said next year, the Bendigo program will expand into pre-apprenticeships and trades.