Bellarine Training and Community Hub (BTACH) has been able to continue to upskill and retrain people on the Bellarine Peninsula during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hub says it has been exciting to see the variety of flexible ways that courses can be delivered while adhering to strict physical distancing rules.
BTACH’s innovative approach includes having five or less students in the large class rooms – allowing for maximum physical distancing – and remote learning via Zoom, email and phone.
Whether a student wants to come to the centre to learn or stay at home, is up to them.
Shae McNamara is one student who hasn’t looked back since enrolling.
In 2016, after a 20-year career in hospitality, Shae decided it was time for a change but was not sure what she wanted to do. She enrolled in certificate three in aged care at BTACH.
“I had not studied since high school, so I was extremely nervous on my first day,” Shae says.
“Then I met my teacher Louise she was brilliant, vibrant, understanding and passionate about what she was teaching. I loved it.”
“I got a job as soon as my course finished and was so keen to learn more that the following year, 2017, I enrolled in the cert 4 in individual support with the same teacher.
“After working in aged care for over three years and still keen to learn more I am currently studying the Diploma of Nursing, which I will complete this August and cannot wait to further my career, hopefully in the hospital setting.
“I already have my sights on the future and am looking to enrol in the Bachelor of Nursing this August.
“The one thing I have definitely learnt since 2016, and Louise has always taught me, you can do anything if you put your mind to it, especially if it is something you are passionate about.”
Students taking the time to study now will mean they can hit the ground running in their chosen field sooner rather than later.
The courses are quality, cost-effective programs that are closely aligned to industry, making for a seamless re-entry into the workforce.
