Learning what the Aged and Disability sectors offer through a fun excursion

An excursion to an expo on aged and disability care has introduced Navitas Skilled Futures participants to new employment opportunities as well as knowledge about services to help people they care about.

Recently Participants in the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program at the Navitas Skilled Future (NSF) Parramatta and Auburn colleges had the opportunity to network and learn about working in the aged care and disability sectors through a special excursion.

NSF trainers saw the Aged and Disability Expo, held at Rosehill in Sydney, as a chance to build their SEE Participants’ confidence in networking and engagement skills.

By attending the expo, and speaking to exhibitors such as aged care providers, disability support services, and healthcare and wellbeing organisations, SEE Participants practised their English skills while finding out about employment in the sector.

Employment opportunities

Several exhibitors at the Expo spoke to the SEE Participants about what’s involved in finding work in the sector. One exhibitor, Safe Journey Support Services explained their entry pathways for bilingual workers, encouraging SEE Participants to apply. Other exhibitors had volunteer roles that could build relevant skills for working in the sector.

Following the expo, one exhibitor, having spoken to SEE Participants on the day, visited the NSF Parramatta college to speak to Participants about employment opportunities they were offering.

Finding out about services to help friends and family

In some cases, SEE Participants found out helpful information for their families or friends who may need support from aged or disability services.

Zarmina, a SEE Participant, shares her home with an elderly roommate from Afghanistan. “I learned about services that can help my roommate,” she said. “This was very useful.”

Another SEE Participant with a relative in Pakistan who has a particular medical condition and needs a stoma bag found out more about the product so she could help her relative.

Great outcomes for students

As well as being lots of fun, a chance to get to know their classmates better, and even try out technology such as virtual reality, the SEE participants felt the experience was very beneficial.

Mortaza explained what he had gained from speaking with the services at the expo. “I spoke with many providers and felt more confident using my English,” he said.

Roya was also excited at the potential for finding work in the sector. “Now I know about jobs in aged care,” she said. “I want to try applying.”

Excursions are a useful way to build on the skills that clients learn at NSF through the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. The Parramatta college has a number of excursions planned for the future.

Find out more about the SEE Program delivered by Navitas Skilled Futures by calling 1300 798 111.