Anna thought her days in a classroom were long behind her.
After years away from formal study, the idea of enrolling in a course felt daunting. English is her second language; her family moved to Australia from Denmark when she was three, and Danish was spoken at home throughout her childhood. Walking back into education as a mature-age student wasn’t an easy choice.
“When Anna first started, she was genuinely worried about how she’d cope,” said Josh Guinea, her trainer at STEPS in Townsville. “She didn’t know where it would lead, but she was willing to give it a go.”
Anna enrolled in the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support course with STEPS, funded by Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW), a government program that helps people train for new careers at no out-of-pocket cost to participants.
She quickly discovered that the STEPS approach to learning is different from her memories of school. Instead of a traditional classroom, the environment was hands-on and focused on community, with trainers who worked alongside participants every step of the way.
From day one, her warmth and ability to connect with people was evident. She made friends, found her confidence, and kept pushing forward even when she found the work challenging.
By the time she completed her qualification, Anna had discovered something important: she is far more capable than she gave herself credit for.
Now she’s working part-time at one of Townsville’s largest nursing homes and loving it.
For anyone considering a career change or return to work, Anna’s journey is proof that the first step is often the hardest, but it’s one worth taking
Ready to take the next STEP?
STEPS is here to help you explore a world of opportunity.
We have many training courses and programs available across Queensland and the Northern Territory, many of which are available at no out-of-pocket cost to participants.
If you’ve been thinking about getting into the workplace or making a career change, our supportive and experienced trainers will help you gain the skills, knowledge and confidence you need.
Explore our STEPS training webpage for a full list of courses and programs, or call our friendly Customer Care Team on 1300 131 965.
