When Christina Mcauliffe spotted a post on her local community Facebook page about no-cost courses offered by Carinity in the Scenic Rim, she was immediately drawn to the opportunity.
With a father in his 80s, Christina found the Certificate III in Individual Support course appealing as it offered qualifications to work in aged care and disability support.
"I noticed Dad starting to need more help as the years went on. That guided me into wanting to learn more about aged care, as I've always had a passion for looking after people," she said.
"It was challenging to study again as a mature age student, but remarkably the more I learned, the more I wanted to learn; I was completely drawn in.
"I had intended to pursue a career in aged care, but with the guidance of our very knowledgeable course trainer, I discovered that disability support was my true calling.
"I was fortunate to secure my student placement at Carinity Bunderra and was then offered a job here as a Lifestyle Support Worker, which I've been doing for almost a year now. It feels like it was all meant to be!"
Christina runs the Tuesday skills group at Bunderra and also provides individual support to clients with community access, respite, domestic assistance, and personal and high-level care.
"This job comes with so much variety and I just love being with the clients, helping them achieve their goals and seeing the joy that comes from that. It is immensely rewarding and I wouldn't want to do anything else," she said.
Carinity is offering more fee-free training opportunities thanks to funding from the State Government's Skilling Queenslanders for Work Initiative. Enrolments are now open for Certificate III in Individual Support, as well as Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
Carinity Community Development Coordinator, Rhys Wilson, said the courses respond to a local need for employment pathways that connect community members to long-term sustainable careers.
"The Scenic Rim has some socio-economic challenges when it comes to employment, income levels and education," Rhys said.
"That's why it's so exciting that our sites have partnered to continue bringing no-cost training that qualifies people to work in some of the most in-demand industries in Australia.
"The courses are held at the Carinity Fassifern Community Centre in Boonah, as well as Carinity Illoura in Beaudesert. They include weekly face-to-face classes along with essential workplace training."
Christina is not the only recent graduate to have scored a dream job in the disability support team at Bunderra. She is joined by Nick Leavey, a former manual arts teacher who runs an art studio in his spare time.
Nick heard about the no-fee training course from a neighbour and felt it was the perfect opportunity to pivot his career.
"I was actually employed at a special school in the UK before I moved to Australia," he said.
"Although that was well over 40 years ago now, all through my time as a teacher I was working with teacher aides who were supporting kids with additional needs.
"That's what drew me to get qualified as a disability support worker, as it's not something totally outside my experience."
Nick said he didn't personally find it difficult returning to study, although things changed once he started his practical work placement at Carinity Bunderra.
"That's when the real learning happened for me, and fortunately I was surrounded by an incredibly supportive team who always work together in the best interest of our clients.
"I enjoy all aspects of my role and feel lucky to be doing something that is so very worthwhile."
