How Kerry turned a lifetime of care into a career in community services

Kerry has always had the power to change lives; it just took a nudge in the right direction to follow a path that put these skills into practice. 

For over 30 years, Kerry, a proud Biripi woman, has supported kids in the foster system and kinship care, fostering seven kids herself and watching them go on to do incredible things, as well as raising kids of her own.  

She also brings a wealth of hospitality experience, from working in the fast-paced cafe scene to managing and running her own cafe. 

Despite all this experience, when she started the Career Transition Assistance course in Kempsey, she was still selling herself short and was lost for what to do.  

As she eased into the training and began to tackle the modules, our training facilitator Merv knew she was more than capable of doing something more fulfilling, for herself and for others.  

She had joined the course to upgrade her resume and find work. She had also expressed interest in working with and helping children.  

Merv knew, with all her experience, she was a strong candidate to find work in hospitality again but wanted to motivate her to find something slightly out of her comfort zone.  

When he suggested studying Community Service, despite her clear interest, she didn’t think of herself clever enough to take an online course.  

However, following the success of completing the Career Transition Assistance course, and picking up a few extra skills along the way, she was ready to tackle her studies head on and enrolled in the Certificate III in Community Services with Bamara Training.  

She learned how to navigate emails, use online search engines for research, and apply for jobs online – skills that gave her the belief she could take the next step. 

“Merv was just so good at pointing out there was more out there than we thought we could do. Not many people can make me keen to do anything. He gave me an insight that I could do more for myself,” Kerry said.

Completing the Career Transition Assistance course not only gave her the boost to her resume and prospects that she wanted – it improved her confidence and prompted her to believe in herself.

“I’m proud of Kerry for taking on the challenge to better herself. She did the course, has taken new advice, and is now starting a new career,” Merv said. 

Now, as she begins her studies towards a fulfilling career in the community services industry, she feels she’s on a path she was destined to follow.  

“I’m not a believer in a lot of things, but this is the field I’m supposed to be doing something in. With all my experience, I believe I was meant to be in this area of work,” Kerry said. 

About Workforce Australia – Career Transition Assistance    

Bamara is a Workforce Australia provider of Career Transition Assistance, a government initiative designed for people aged 45 and over. 

Career Transition Assistance will help you identify the right career pathway to work, whether you are returning to work, looking for a new opportunity, or wanting to change your career.