The United Nation’s theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. The sad reality is that there is a significant “digital divide” when it comes to those that have access to the internet, devices and technology. Whilst the divide affects all generations and communities, the gap disproportionately affects women & girls.
Pam Kaur Sunner completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at Macquarie Community College. Pam came to Australia from Punjab, India in 1990 with her family. Pam took on a number of caring roles within her family including, her elderly parents and children of family members as well as her own children. After she commenced her Diploma at Macquarie Community College, she also endured the loss of two close family members but resolved to continue studying. Pam successfully completed her Diploma and has gone on to continue to work in childcare as a Diploma-trained educator.
As the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector continues to face an unprecedented workforce shortage, organisations such as Macquarie Community College are stepping up to the plate to prepare and deploy a skilled workforce in the ECEC sector.
From its most recent cohort of graduates, 85% of the students enrolled in the course have gone on to gain employment in various related positions.
To celebrate the success of Macquarie Community College’s Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, we spoke to graduates Palakshi and Payal on their experiences in the course and what they’re up to now.
We welcome 2023 with much excitement as we return to some kind of norm. There is something about starting a new year that encourages us to pause and reflect on how we can improve ourselves. Most of us will make that annual new year’s resolution. Whether it’s “exercise more”, “change careers”, and “learn new things”, here are some tips on how to keep those plans in place and follow through your resolutions for 2023.
Macquarie Community College partners with social enterprise Darcy St Project to open the Darcy St Project Epping Community Cafe in the Boronia Grove Community Centre in Epping.
Leo felt completely left behind in an era dominated by technology and had almost no knowledge about computers. To change this, he enrolled in a Basic Computer Skills for Work & Study course at Macquarie Community College, where he exceeded throughout and graduated. Leo challenged himself once again with the Intermediate Computer Skills for Work & Study course, where he also flourished. After graduating in both courses Leo is grateful for the impact of MCC on his life and said: “I hope more and more people will take this computer skills course to catch up with digital times.”
Year 12 and university may not be the direction you want to pursue, but that’s not the end of the road. There’s never just one way to discovering your rewarding career. That’s what Sherilyn found with her traineeship! She didn’t need a qualification before she started, and she could complete her Child Care Certificate at Macquarie Community College at the same time. In a few short months, her life has changed dramatically. She is bouncing out of bed because she’s loving life. She’s found her calling.
Barsha arrived in 2008 from Bangladesh as a refugee, looking forward to the fresh start that a new life in Australia promised. At 30 years old, she thought she would be too old to start studying and start a new career in Childcare. But she soon found herself being inspired by older women in Australia who had kids and were able to have a career of their own too. Barsha enrolled in the Child Care Certificate course and has not looked back! She was offered a job during her work placement as she made such a great impression. In fact, 7 out of 8 of Barsha’s classmates were offered jobs during their work placement. After being there for less than a year, Barsha was awarded the ‘Educator of the Year’ award. Barsha says ‘Macquarie Community College is the best place if you want to study and make a career in Child Care. MCC supports women very well to build their careers. Child care is a huge industry where there’s lots of opportunities and they need more people. Now’s the best time to start – you’re never too old or young’.
“I tell my students that looking after a person who’s in their last stage of life is one of the most important jobs in the world,” says Heather, Community Services Lead Trainer at Macquarie Community College. “Some of these people have fought for Australia, and all of them have helped build and contribute to this country. It’s very satisfying to make a difference in their lives.”
Heather’s no-nonsense style, her directness in communicating, makes her a popular trainer of Aged or Disability Care courses. Without mincing words, she gives her students a complete picture of their client’s needs and that there are more than just physical and technical aspects to caring.
“Find something that gives you hope for the future, then find people who will sit with you, guide you, and help you. We need help in the right way. I found this at Macquarie Community College, and it made all the difference.”
The answer to improving everything in a new country, Ayana has found, is study. Correction: the right kind of study. Ayana was even offered a job during her work placement – before she graduated!
Nowadays, Ayana is a successful worker in the Aged Care industry who enjoys heart-warming interactions with clients every day. However, Aged Care is a different industry from the one Ayana thought she’d be working in when she first migrated to Australia from Ethiopia.
