Skilling up for a career in community support
Edwina and Max were among 11 course participants to celebrate their graduation with a nationally recognised Certificate III in Individual Support in mid-December 2021, thanks to work-based training delivered by Multicap.
The disability support provider delivers the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) initiative in partnership with AMC Training and Consulting, and local aged care providers.
Edwina and Max share a common goal to establish a career in the community support industry and share their creative abilities with the people they support.
“I wanted to help the vulnerable with whatever pre-existing skills I had, plus the job market for this is filled with opportunities for growth,” Edwina said.
Previously working in freelance art and design, Edwina, together with her husband and two children, moved to Queensland from Malaysia four years ago to enjoy an improved quality of life.
In search of a meaningful career, Edwina learned about the SQW course at the Careers Expo in December 2020 and enrolled in the course six months later.
“I didn’t jump at the opportunity offered by other course providers as I didn’t find them comprehensive enough, especially regarding placements.
“After discovering the Multicap and AMC Training and Consulting SQW program and how complete it was with theory, practical, first aid, CPR and placement provided, I finally enrolled and it was extremely worth it,” she said.
Max lives with an acquired brain injury but having completed a degree in game design in 2011, he is motivated to obtain a career where he can support other people with brain injuries.
“I understand the challenges of fitting in and obtaining employment, so I’m pleased that this course has provided me with additional skills to complement my existing design skills to one day add value and support for customers in creative arts,” Max said.
Both Edwina and Max were impressed at how comprehensive the course was and appreciated the support provided by the course organisers and other participants.
“I work at a slower pace than I used to, and I am so glad that the course was so good in accommodating me. I was originally studying a similar course online but finding placement by myself along with the training you need to do was difficult to organise by myself.
“They really made it straightforward and gave me everything I needed on my journey to work in an industry that I am most passionate about. I felt very supported the whole way through,” said Max.
“I appreciated the course theory, trainer check-ins and help with placements. I always had direct contact with trainers and when I had questions, they were answered quickly. I enjoyed learning with others as we were all very supportive of each other,” Edwina said.
Edwina completed the majority of her 60-hour disability provider placement at Multicap’s Eight Mile Plains Hub within their Centre of Creative Arts (COCA) program and Max gained an insight into job coaching after completing his 60-hour disability provider placement at Multicap’s Makeables employment business in Tingalpa.
Both being naturally creative, Edwina is actively looking for a job similar to her COCA placement and Max would be happy to enter the industry in any job and eventually move into something more creative.
Multicap is proud to offer this funded training since 2017 in partnership with registered training providers allowing job seekers to develop their skills and make a difference in the community.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative aims to deliver community-based training and job opportunities to unemployed Queenslanders.
For more information about upcoming SQW courses, visit Multicap’s website.
