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Shiralee

Shiralee’s Story

As part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) program, with the support of Multicap and ARC Training, Shiralee enrolled in the 17-week course. With a hectic family schedule of her husband working Drive-in-Drive-Out shifts, her twin 13-year old boys both NDIS participants, and ongoing battles with her own health, Shiralee finally decided it was time to do something “just for her,” in a career that offers flexibility. 

When a friend at one of her boys’ support services told her about SQW at Multicap, it seemed like the perfect solution. Shiralee found completing her Certificate III challenging while managing course study, work placement at two organisations and her family life, but says she was grateful for the individual support and flexibility provided to her through the SQW program, Multicap and ARC Training.

“By having all the wonderful support and guidance from a great trainer, my awesome classmates and other students, along with access to resources readily available to me at all times, it made completing the course so much easier.

“The work placement played a major part in gaining my qualification and it equipped me to further understand the industry and how it works to best support people of all ages with disability, and the elderly,” Shiralee said. 

Her tenacity and determination shone through, and after obtaining her Certificate III, Shiralee gained employment within the disability support sector, which gives her flexibility to balance her work and home life. Her success impressed so much that she has been nominated for the Equity VET Student of the Year category in the 2020 Queensland Training Awards. The nomination came as a surprise to Shiralee.

“When I found out that I was nominated for the award I was actually lost for words. I am still very humbled by it all and can’t fathom that someone like myself could make it this far.” 
“My journey is just a drop in the ocean compared to others and I wouldn’t change it for the world, it has made me who I am and where I’m meant to be.”

Overall, Shiralee said the biggest satisfaction of her experience with the SQW program was gaining her qualification and starting a new career.

“The highlight was finally receiving my certificate and gaining meaningful permanent employment in a field that is very dear to me, especially after being out of work for so long.”

“If you are looking to do something extremely rewarding in the disability or aged care sectors as a Support Worker and don’t know where to start, I highly recommend getting in touch with the Multicap Skilling Queenslanders for Work team to get you where you want to go – they helped change my life!” Shiralee said.

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