For over a decade, Candice devoted herself to raising her four children as a stay-at-home mom. When she decided it was time to rejoin the workforce, she looked for a career that aligned with her empathetic nature. Today, she is making a remarkable impact in one of Victoria's most in-demand sectors.
As a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) at a retirement village in Bendigo, Candice was drawn to this role not only because it resonated with her, but also due to the abundance of job opportunities it offered.
Candice shared, "My sister works in aged care and encouraged me to enrol and work in the field. I have an empathetic nature and have always loved talking to the elderly. I heard there was a shortage of PCAs, so of course, I jumped at the opportunity."
Candice enrolled in Bendigo TAFE's Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home, and Community) (CHC33015), which equips learners with the skills needed to work as personal care workers in care settings. She was career-ready after just six months to start work as a PCA.
"The course prepared me greatly. I had been working for a month or two, and a couple of my colleagues couldn't believe I was fresh out of my course. They said they thought I'd been a PCA for years," shared the 35-year-old.
Candice found working with high-care residents to be a breeze, thanks to the fantastic hands-on learning experience at TAFE. She felt confident and well-prepared for her job.
As a PCA, Candice's typical day involves assisting independent living residents with their day-to-day needs, from starting their day to helping with meals and medication. Her favourite part of the job is connecting with the people she supports.
"I'm lucky because we have the time to sit down with the residents and chat with them," Candice said. "It's a very sociable role. It's so important to look after their emotional well-being as well as their physical. There's never a dull moment, and every day is different! That's what I love about it."
Bendigo TAFE offers an array of community courses that strive to produce passionate students for the wider community. Check out our courses here to start your journey today.
