Women’s Business 2nd Chance is helping First Nations women in Wellington to graduate TAFE with a qualification in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care. Once qualified, they have the opportunity to move straight into a job with Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (WACHS)!
Our WB2C team have been hosting outreach events in Wellington for the past 6-months and assisting local First Nations women through our Return to Work Pathways program, funded by the NSW Government.
During our time in Wellington, we’ve made connections with employment providers, social support organisations and employers. It was one of these connections that highlighted a big employment gap in the region and together, we saw an opportunity to change that.
Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (WACHS) is an Aboriginal community-controlled health service offering Primary Health Care services and an Integrated Care program. As a not-for-profit organisation, they provide specific health and specialist programs to support clients in addressing their health and wellbeing needs and issues in a culturally appropriate way.
They have many jobs available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care professionals however the pool of qualified candidates was too small to fill this demand.
Together with WACHS, we worked with the local Wellington TAFE to enrol a cohort of keen women in their Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.
This certification equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality and culturally safe healthcare services. Once qualified, they will be eligible to be employed by WACHS or one of their partners!
Celebrating Day One
On Wednesday 7 February, our Reach Out Officer Shaneika Whitton met with our deadly cohort of 5 students to support them on their first day of TAFE!
There were a few nerves, but everyone was excited and going together as a group made everyone feel more at ease.
These ladies will spend the next 12-months together, attending TAFE once a week and supporting each other with their studies between that. Alongside our 5 aspirants, 6 more women are part of the certification.
Shaneika will be checking in regularly, assisting with any bumps or barriers along their journey and encouraging their success.
Everyone is excited for what the next 12-months will bring and being qualified in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care!
We’ll be checking back in with regular updates on their journey.
