Our training breaks down barriers
Last year we offered up some training programs to local people who were experiencing barriers to participating in our community.
We enrolled a group of students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who undertook training to achieve Certificate I in Active Volunteering. This qualification develops the foundation skills required to enable effective volunteer work.
What was the training about?
The comprehensive, nationally accredited training was delivered one day a week over 26 weeks.
Over the program, our students learned important skills in communication, customer service, working in community services, working with diverse people, promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety, volunteering, engaging with young people, digital technology, writing skills and basic emergency life support.
Training was facilitated by Amitha Pathirana who has been facilitating similar vocational training in our area for over five years. At the end of the course there were six very happy students who all achieved this Level 1 certification.
So what’s next?
With their new qualifications, we enrolled our former students in several volunteering programs and since then they’ve been very busy in our community. One of them, Lindsey, has been doing some great volunteer work with Friends of The Koala and told us that:
The training I did has given me the confidence and skills to overcome my communication barriers and work with other people in the community.
Today we held a graduation morning tea to celebrate these former students and to present them with their certificates. We’re sad that only Mary and Lindsey could attend but very happy to announce that the other four were unavailable because they were already busy in new work roles.
To all our recent graduates Mary, Lindsey, Luana, Ayen, Joko and Jonalyne, we’re very proud of you and wish you all the best for the future!
Mary, Lindsey and Amitha standing at the front were joined by our Volunteer Services Coordinator and management team to offer their thanks and congratulations on successfully completing the training.
From left to right, here we see Mary, Amitha and Lindsey, with Mary and Lindsey holding their newly presented certificates.
