When Sheena Wilson joined the team at Electronics Recycling Australia in March last year, she didn’t have any background in working with people with disability.
But now, thanks to Minda’s SA Learning Centre, Sheena has successfully completed the CHC33015 Certificate III Individual Support (Disability) to provide her with a greater understanding of the needs of the clients she works with at the Ottoway site.
“When I was offered the job of Training and Support Coordinator I didn’t have any background in disability so it was my opportunity to boost my qualifications for the position,” Sheena says.
“Not having any background in disability at all the course was challenging in the beginning, but as you get into it and your knowledge base grows it becomes clearer.”
Due to COVID-19 Sheena completed a lot of the coursework via Zoom which was a challenge, however she was able to have face to face contact with REPACK production supervisor Andrew Bradley who was also completing the course and is based at Ottoway.
“I wanted more insight into how disability runs,” Andrew says. “I have a daughter with an impairment, not so much a disability, but I know what struggles she had when she was younger, but I still wanted to educate myself some more.”
Knowing we were planning on taking on more employees with disability I wanted to be prepared and ready for the transition. The course teaches you how to interact and help people in learning new tasks and different parts of the job and different ways.
Like Sheena, Andrew is also responsible for the training and development at the wine packaging company.
“Knowing we were planning on taking on more employees with disability I wanted to be prepared and ready for the transition. The course teaches you how to interact and help people in learning new tasks and different parts of the job and different ways.”
REPACK already has two other team members studying for their Cert III qualifications, while others are set to follow at ERA.
SA Learning Centre Lead Facilitator Susan Johnson says Minda’s training arm offers four Certificate III Individual Support courses throughout each year – including classes that are scheduled in the evenings – offering a great avenue for personal and professional development.
“Staff with a Certificate III may like to progress to a Certificate IV in Disability or consider the Diploma in Community Services,” Susan says.
“SA Learning Centre will also be adding more qualifications to its scope in the near future so watch this space!”
Do you see yourself or anyone you know working in disability? Find out more about what study options we have on offer at SALC.
Phone: 8209 2800
Website: salearningcentre.com.au
Email: salc@minda.asn.au
Sheena and Andrew at ERA in Ottoway.