Return to work courses for women

CareerOne.com.au has received hundreds of questions from mums who are nervous about returning to work and want to know how to explain their time out of the workforce on their resumes.

Mums also want to know how to talk about the important skills they’ve developed outside the paid workplace, how to translate them to the workforce, as well as how to start looking for a job.

CareerOne editor Kate Southam used her Ask Kate column to appeal for details on any courses designed to help mums returning to work. The results are below:

A big thank you to everyone who responded.

It’s not too late to tell us about a course you run. Just email: [email protected]

NSW

TAFE NSW runs a number of courses tailored exclusively for women to help them build new skills and confidence.

The range includes the Work Opportunities for Women (WOW) course which is specifically designed to help women enter or re-enter the workforce.

Click here for information. Courses are run at different campuses around the state.

Below are some of the comments and emails we have received.

NSW Regional:

Newcastle and Northern NSW

Wesley Mission – Passport to Employment

Trainer Vicki King wrote: “Wesley Training has been running a training course for Mum’s returning to the workforce for over three years called Passport to Employment. This has been a very successful program addressing the issues that parents face. It is a program we very much enjoy running as the results are instantaneous and so rewarding.”

The five-day course includes a CD Rom.
Cost: $300
The three-day course costs $250.
Course times: 9.30am – 2.30pm

Prices are reduced for organised groups and 10 to12 people is regarded as the ideal group size.

You can also be referred to the course through a Job Network provider. Vicki has run courses in regional areas including Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Taree.

If you are on a benefit, like family allowance, you do not have to be in receipt of an unemployment benefit to get a referral to do the course via the Job Network.

To contact Vicki:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 49 639 255
Wesley Training is part of the Newcastle City Mission.

Vicki said: “For women, the courses are absolutely brilliant because they build self esteem and self knowledge. Also, we build up a group that can stay in contact and pass on work details.

“The course suits anyone who has been out of the workforce. A woman who has gone to university and then worked for a short time before having children finds it just as hard as someone who started working straight after high school and has taken time off for a family.

“Women discover all the skills they have as a result of raising a family and how to present those to employers. Budgeting, time management – all those things they don’t see as important.

“We also introduce them to a range of job roles they might not have considered. There are jobs out there that can fit in with family responsibilities. For example, one of our women found a job as an accountant where she works 10am until 2pm.

Other topics include resume and interview preparation; knowing what entitlements a working mum can access; how to “cold canvas” for work; and how to negotiate salary.

Glendale and Lake Macquarie TAFE: Certificate II Skills for Work and Training Course

Christine wrote: “I work for TAFE NSW and co-ordinate a Certificate II Skills for Work and Training Course (for women) at TAFE Glendale Campus, Lake Macquarie. These courses are run all over NSW and are geared towards preparing mums and other women for a return to work and/or education. I run two courses a year, one each semester.”

Go to the website www.tafensw.edu.au then type in Skills for Work and Training Certificate II in the search for a course box. Click through the links to find a nearby campus.

Sydney – North: Hornsby TAFE, Career Education & Employment for Women (CEEW) run by Barbara Stewart – 131 674

This is a free one semester course which runs during school hours.

Participant, Gail of Mount Colah, emailed us: “I learnt computers from scratch along with brushing up on maths, English and so on. They also teach you how to apply for jobs, [create] your resume and [provide] interview practice. It was very enjoyable and great to watch those who were not confident with their abilities, blossom.”

Sydney – Northern Beaches: TAFE IT Skills

Ask Kate reader Annette wrote: “At Northern Beaches TAFE we run a Certificate III in Information Technology under the banner of Work Wise Women. In this course, women fill in the gaps in their IT knowledge that may have occurred because they have been out of the workforce. The course is sponsored by a local industry for the first six months and therefore free to these women. If they choose to continue for a further six months they can complete the Certificate III.”

Sydney – Greater West
Mount Druitt, The Wash House

This free service is provided on demand for a minimum of four people and a maximum of 10. Running for a few hours each day over a week, and targeted to the needs of the group, a facilitator assists women in all areas of job searching including resume preparation, interview skills, appropriate presentation, applying online and uncovering transferable skills. While the service is provided from Mount Druitt, the facilitator can travel to other areas on demand.

For more information visit: www.washhouse.org.au. This group is also attached to an “op-shop” which can supply outfits for interviews.

Sydney, Fairfield-Picton
Macarthur Community College, Skills2Work.

This free course is run over seven sessions. While it’s based in the Greater South West, it accepts people from any area.

Ask Kate reader Kerry emailed: “It offers guidance counselling, interview skills, resume preparation and free enrolment in a variety of vocational courses to help [participants] gain qualifications in either a new career path or up-skilling them to return to their previous work area.” Phone: 02 9826 6455

NSW Central Coast

Gosford, TAFE, Career Education and Employment for Women, Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training

Course Coordinator Pauline Eade wrote: “This is a free course for women (except our First Aid course costs $25). The course runs for 18 weeks with one week’s work experience in that time. I run the course four days a week from 9am to 1pm. This allows women with school-age children to drop them off and pick them up and perhaps have time for a coffee after 1pm. It is regarded as a full-time course. The outcome is that they either go into the workforce or go on to do further courses such as Business Administration courses or an Aged Care course. The students really enjoy the course.

“Many students tell me: ‘I am so glad I walked into your room’ or ‘I should have done this year ago’, and so on.”

Business Boot Camp for Mums

Quantum Mums runs Business Boot Camps for three days per week over four weeks to help Mums return to the corporate world. Aimed at Mums who’ve been out of the paid workforce for both short and extended stints, it covers motivation and confidence, technology, communication and presentation.

Visit www.quantumleapcorp.com.au for information on fees and upcoming events.

Victoria

CATHERINE BRAGAGNOLO of the Centre for Business Programs at Box Hill Institute runs a virtual enterprise to update mums in modern office practices.

LEARN IN A VIRTUAL ENTERPRISE – Developing real skills in a virtual workplace

• Simulated environment replicating an actual work setting
• Hands-on approach: the Virtual Enterprise is student action centred learning where students undertake real workplace tasks as they would in business
• Students test their skills in IT, Customer Service, Interpersonal Relationships, Negotiation and Time Management
• Students learn about business: They learn how industry operates and how decisions are made.

RETRAIN FOR THE WORKFORCE

Mature age job seekers appreciate the hands-on approach to training and learning. They also benefit from the confidence boost when they find they can successfully manage new technology and also contribute their life skills to the Virtual Enterprise Learning Environment.

COURSES AVAILABLE:
Certificate III in Business Administration, Certificate II in Business, following completion of these levels further studies in specific areas such as Marketing, PR & Accounting follow at Cert IV level & above.

ENROLMENTS JULY 2008: JANUARY 2009 for February start

CALL CENTRE FOR BUSINESS PROGRAMS 8892 2121 BOX HILL INSTITUTE, Global Educators

Contact: Catherine Bragagnolo, Facilitator, WP:Publishing On Elgar Virtual Enterprise run by Centre for Business Programs, Box Hill Institute, Elgar Campus, 465 Elgar Road, Box Hill.

Melbourne

Priorities

This group provides a one-day Work Readiness course to increase women’s skills and confidence in searching for work. Participants leave with a professional resume and the option of an ongoing mentor to guide them through their job search. They also provide a six-week IT re-skilling course which helps women brush up on commonly-used technology. Check out their website for timings and fees: www.priorities.com.au

Reader Comment:
“I have just completed the Priorities course that I came across when I was reading your article in regards to rejoining the work force. I would just like to recommend this course as I found it to be very informative and gave me a good base to start my hunt for a part time job. Having been out of the workforce for a while, it was enlightening to meet other women in my situation and get the encouragement I needed to feel I have something to contribute that was of value to my local community.” Cynthia Margerison, Mount Evelyn.

Business Boot Camp for Mums

Quantum Mums runs Business Boot Camps for three days per week over four weeks to help Mums return to the corporate world. Aimed at Mums who’ve been out of the paid workforce for both short and extended stints, it covers motivation and confidence, technology, communication and presentation.

Visit www.quantumleapcorp.com.au for information on fees and upcoming events.

Bizness Babes

Ask Kate reader Joanne wrote: “I wanted to let you know about a wonderful program for mums wanting to start up their own business. The program is called Bizness Babes and is run by the Body Shop and the Federal Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations. This program provides the knowledge to start up your own business and [to] also apply for interest free micro loans of up to $5000 from American Express. It even takes the stress out of worrying what to do with your children whilst attending. They have childcare in the same building! How do I know about the program? I have recently completed the course and my two business ideas are both very close to launch date. The facilitators are knowledgeable, fun and extremely supportive. The program empowers mums to believe in themselves and their business ideas.”

Other resources:

Returning to Earning

The State Government of Victoria offers grants of up to $1000 for eligible parents returning to work after an absence caring for children. Grants can be used to cover any costs associated with approved training, such as books and materials, course fees, transport and childcare. To check your eligibility and find out more information, visit the website: www.returningtoearning.com.au

Queensland

Brisbane

Business Boot Camp for Mums

Quantum Mums runs Business Boot Camps for three days per week over four weeks to help Mums return to the corporate world. Aimed at Mums who’ve been out of the paid workforce for both short and extended stints, it covers motivation and confidence, technology, communication and presentation.

Visit www.quantumleapcorp.com.au for information on fees and upcoming events.

Mitchelton and Caboolture

WorkLinks

Ask Kate reader Pauline wrote: “I have read your article and note that you are interested in hearing from training organisations, such as ourselves, who offer courses for people wishing to re-enter the workforce.

“The free course consists of two days training per week in Certicate I & II in Business and two days unpaid work experience. Our programmes attract a range of different participants, however the majority are mothers wanting to return to the work place who have found – having been unemployed for a number of years – they are not being considered for job interviews as their skills are not current.

“The work experience component of the course gives participants the confidence to return to the workforce and also a current employer on their resume and a current referee.”

For information: www.worklinks.com.au

Townsville

Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE

Business and Information Technology courses for women.
If you have no formal qualifications, have not completed Year 12 at school, or you are an existing worker and would like to gain a qualification – funding is available.
Call Sue Dingle or Narelle Hibberd at the Barrier Reef TAFE Burdekin campus on 4752 4288.

www.barrierreef.tafe.qld.gov.au

South Australia

Adelaide

Women in Work

Run over six days and available through a Job Network referral, this course helps women, including return to work mums, understand their motivations, interests and skills as well as the expectations of employers. It also covers resumes and interview skills. The facilitators offer ongoing support and post-course mentoring.

Director Ali Uren wrote: “While Kiikstart the company is only a couple of months old, the Women in Work program has been trialed in the SA Job Network system under The Retailing Edge since August 2007 with very strong results.

“What started as mums only, has now expanded to include women who have been identified as lacking self esteem, confidence and a sense of purpose, not only with regard to the job hunt, but with life in general.”

For information email: [email protected]

Other resources

Online and in your own time

If you’re a mum needing total flexibility there is always the option of preparing yourself in your own time. www.ezyskillz.com is an online, self-paced course which takes participants through the process of preparing themselves to find a role.

Topics include vocational and literacy assessment, goal setting, a personal SWOT analysis, skills identification, interview guides, and resume preparation. Along the way users are provided with explanations and examples, useful in particular for resume preparation.

Also useful for mums is learning how to translate the skills they’ve used in the home to the workforce. The cost is $55 plus GST and the course takes approximately a week to complete full time.