Overcoming Barriers and Learning Workplace Skills
Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE's Work Education Centre is helping 20-year-old Gemma Fluck get closer to her dream of working with animals.
Case study: Gemma Fluck
20-year-old Gemma Fluck has been diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder, Auditory Processing Difficulties, anxiety and difficulties retaining information.This has made learning and participating in a range of social settings difficult for Gemma. She had an Integration Aid to support her through Years 8 - 11, and undertook a modified VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) course. Gemma and her family have been keen for her to participate in further education to enhance her skills and help her in her quest for employment.
Gemma would love to work with children and animals. She began a Certificate II in Animal Studies at a TAFE but was unable to complete it as the course was too difficult.
Searching the internet, Gemma’s mother found information about the Work Education Centre at Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE’s (NMIT) Preston Campus. Gemma and her family attended an Information Session at the Work Education Centre and after many discussions decided that the Certificate I in Work Education was the best course for Gemma.
A Certificate I in Work Education is made up of core subjects and vocational electives. Through those subjects the students develop skills in communication, literacy, numeracy, independence skills and workplace skills.
Many of the basic social interactions most of us take for granted in a work setting can be extremely challenging for someone in Gemma’s situation, so focusing on these skills is a big step forward in the journey towards employment.
Gemma started the course in 2011. She has already developed an Individual Vocational Plan and participated in practical placements in a pre-school centre and at two different Coles supermarkets. The supermarket placements have been particularly successful.
“Gemma did extremely well,” says her teacher Marilyn Crump. ”She fitted in well and made great progress learning workplace behaviours.”
Not only has Gemma’s readiness for employment improved, her confidence in social situations has bloosomed - and she has made new friends with whom she now talks on the phone and on Facebook.
Given Gemma’s love of animals and her success in a retail setting, her teacher, hopes that one day Gemma will find a situation that combines the two. “It has been an amazingly successful year for her,” Marilyn says. “She knows she has skills now.”
Download a copy of Gemma's story
Overcoming Barriers and Learning Workplace Skills (PDF, 132.59 KB) A case study on how the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE's Work Education Centre is helping 20-year-old Gemma Fluck get closer to her dream of working with animals.