JOURNEY TO SUCCESS THROUGH SQW

Hello, my name is Lilian, and I moved to Australia from the Philippines in May 2022. I have always had a passion for supporting elderly individuals to lead happy and fulfilling lives, and I brought several years of experience in this field with me when I relocated to Australia.

Upon arriving in Australia, I realised I needed to align my skills and qualifications with national standards. Through the Filipino community, I learned about the Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) program offered by TMSG, which helps migrants and refugees prepare for the Australian workforce or pursue further education. I contacted TMSG, and a meeting was arranged with the SQW Program Coordinator, who provided me with valuable information about the program and its benefits. I saw this program as the perfect opportunity to achieve my goal of becoming an Aged Care professional.

The SQW program at TMSG significantly enhanced my understanding of Australian workforce expectations and the education system, boosting my confidence to pursue a career in Aged Care. The program includes accredited training for a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, along with regular one on one mentoring sessions with the Program Coordinator. During these sessions, we discussed my aspiration to further my education to become a qualified carer.

The Program Coordinator supported me by referring me to a local training provider, leading to my enrollment in a Certificate III in Individual Support. I began this training in March 2024, completed it successfully in June 2024, and also completed a 120-hour vocational placement. Following my placement, I was offered a permanent part time position as an Assistant in Nursing at a local Aged Care facility.

The ongoing support from the Program Coordinator was instrumental in my success, from our initial meeting through to securing employment in my chosen field.

I highly recommend this program to anyone new to Australia, as it provides an excellent pathway to employment and education, with exceptional support from TMSG and the Program Coordinator.

#SkillingQueenslandersForWork is proudly funded by the QLD Government.