ALEXANDRA Hunt decided to change careers at 30, and says a paid traineeship allowed her to follow her dreams as a mature age student.
Hunt, of Rosebud, who recently completed her Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015) traineeship at the Village Aged Care Residence in Capel Sound, secured a permanent part-time position at the village, which allowed her to be paid while being trained.
After working as a cleaner for private houses, Hunt says she was ready for a change when she landed the opportunity to return to study.
“I had been cleaning private homes on the Mornington Peninsula for six years and was looking for a change in my life. I wanted to progress into getting a career in the healthcare field,” she said.
Her big break came when she saw an advertisement on the local jobs board, indicating that the Village Glen was offering a paid traineeship in aged care. She contacted the centre for an interview and the rest is history.
Paid traineeships are opportunities provided to students to learn practical skills with an employer as well as formal learning with an approved provider, leading to a recognised qualification that can be widely used. On such traineeships, students get on-the-job training with an employer, while they study and get paid.
Hunt says she greatly appreciates the benefits that came with the traineeship.
“While on the traineeship, you are on the floor in the facility where you get to learn with your eyes. I feel this gives you a better picture of what the job entails rather than just online study,” she said.
“It was also great to be able to earn a wage while doing the traineeship.
“I was able to still help support our family finances and to pay day care fees for my two-year-old so I could attend classes and complete the traineeship.”
Hunt, who studied at Kangan Institute, started her traineeship in March 2022 and completed it in December 2022. She also received an employee of the month award while doing her training.
“I had great teachers – especially Judy Cooke. They were very informative, always supportive and had a very straightforward learning platform online,” she said.
Hunt now hopes to do her Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) and is keen to see where the next chapter of her education takes her. For now, she enjoys and continues to commit to her aged care work at the Village Glen, caring for some of Australia’s elderly.