Image: Jessica Gratton at TAFE NSW.
Nothing could stop these Sunnyfield clients from graduating, not even a pandemic.
Earlier this year, Sunnyfield Employment Services partnered with TAFE NSW to offer a Certificate I in Preparation for Work and Training to SLES participants and Supported Employees. Each Thursday two educators, Janet and Michelle visited Sunnyfield Employment Services in Mt Druitt to educate participants in the skills required to be successful in obtaining and keeping a job.
With the support of Janet, Michelle and Sunnyfield staff, participants set work related goals during their TAFE NSW study sessions. Participants learnt about punctuality, attendance and workplace etiquette in the form of role plays, real life situations and questionnaires, providing them with important employability skills.
When asked what he thought about his TAFE NSW studies, Josh stated “I like it, it’s fun and we get to learn about work things”.
Unfortunately, the program had to halt due to the unexpected Covid 19 virus. However, it did not get participants down, as they kept in contact, regularly discussing their return to TAFE NSW when it is safe to do so and the activities they missed the most.
Getting back on track
In order to have TAFE NSW return to Sunnyfield, staff from both organisations worked hard to put safety measures in place to ensure the health and wellbeing of all participants. Sanitisation stations were created, the room was reorganised to allow for social distancing and a strict cleaning process was implemented before and after TAFE NSW sessions. In addition, participants and staff were also required to wear masks whilst in the training room.
Participants were over the moon when they found out that their training would resume end of July. They knew it was going to be hard work catching up on lost study time, however this did not concern them, they were just happy TAFE NSW was back.
In the few months that TAFE NSW has been back, participants have caught up on the work they missed and are now completely up to date, giving them spare time to focus on other projects such as creating a garden with plantar boxes at Sunnyfield Employment Services Mt Druitt.
For more information about Sunnyfield SLES or Supported Employment services, contact our friendly team today on T 1300 588 688 or E enquiries@sunnyfield.org.au
