Returning to the workforce
The Centre, Wangaratta
Transcript of Returning to the Workforce video (DOC, 28 KB)
Being a full-time single mum kept Virginia out of the workforce for over 11 years. As the mother of three boys she had previously had her hands very full, but now that they were all at school she had the opportunity to do something more.
Through her sons’ primary school, Yarrunga Primary, she found out about the Employability Passport training run by Learn Local organisation, The Centre in Wangaratta.
The Employability Passport helps learners realise they have skills that will transfer to a workplace and regardless of their previous level of study they can learn new skills and achieve skills in subjects they thought beyond them.
Before having children Virginia had worked in the manufacturing industry and never had a job which required the use of computers. After completing a pre-accredited unit as part of the Passport, Virginia’s confidence was boosted and she went on to complete Certificate II in Information Technology.
Virginia was amazed that so many years after she’d finished school, she was easily able to return to study with the help of a Learn Local organisation. “The pace is one that we set for ourselves, and there is no pressure to have things done or understood by a certain time. We are not made to feel silly if we don’t get it first go,” Virginia said.
“These courses help us develop our interpersonal skills, helping us deal with all types of people. They also show us what is required of us in the work place, making it a not so scary place.”
Since completing her studies at The Centre, Virginia has gone on to achieve two more major milestones: she has gained employment as an administrative assistant at Yarrunga Primary school (which her kids love!), working in the front office and in the school library, and she has gone on to study at TAFE, doing Certificate III in Business administration.
Before studying at a Learn Local organisation, Virginia would have never dreamed she could achieve so much – and look at her now!