Twenty students have graduated from one of Canberra Institute of Technology’s (CIT) newest courses, providing the graduates with the basic ‘work ready’ skills to enter the disability and aged care sectors.
Training and Employment Manager for SPARK, Emma Sckrabei, said the CIT SPARK Community Services Taster Program helped students gain accredited units of competency that would provide the basic skills needed across a number of roles in the community services industry.
She said the program was a dedicated pathway to employment, providing students with direct access and connections to potential employment opportunities.
“The Community Services Taster Program has been a valuable addition to the SPARK program in 2019,” Ms Sckrabei said.
“It is rewarding to deliver a program in a sector where there is a shortage of skilled workers and we look forward to assisting our newest CIT SPARK graduates enter the community services field,” Ms Sckrabei said.
She said that throughout the program, the students received “wrap-around” support services, including additional resources and mentoring that catered to each individual’s needs and addressed existing barriers to employment.
CIT Coordinator of Aged Care, Disability and Skills for Carers, Karen Noble said the certificate of completion awarded to the students recognised their achievement throughout the program.
“The students now have a better understanding of the job pathways available in the community services sector and are being encouraged to complete their Certificate III level qualifications,” Ms Noble said.
