For quite a few of Allambi’s staff, school was left behind many years ago and going back to the class room stirs up much anxiety and self-doubt. Some see the Diploma of Community Services as a potentially daunting experience.
Our Diploma has been designed to tap into a support workers existing knowledge and skills. By completion of the first workshop, any self- doubt and anxiety is replaced with a sense of achievement, along with a belief it is achievable.
Mitchell Cartwright has been an ITC Support Worker for over five years and is currently studying the Diploma: “I believe the Diploma is an important and integral part of being the best Support Worker you believe you can be, as you expand your knowledge within your role,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said he has taken away something relevant and useful from every class, which has helped empower and improve his skill set.
Learning and Development Trainer, Mark “Robbo” Robinson, believes support workers quickly realise that a large part of the Diploma is about reflecting on their day-to-day work and simply capturing examples of this in their workbook.
“While we aim for the workshops to be informative, with learners able to take away new knowledge and additional skills, the essence of the internal Diploma is harnessing the wealth of knowledge and skills that so many staff have acquired through their day-to-day practice.
“As a trainer, I take great pleasure in seeing the light bulb moment when a support worker realises they have the ability to tackle the Diploma. This new found confidence extends to many staff enrolling in the Degree,” Robbo said.
Since the Diploma’s inception in 2016, Allambi has witnessed the personal growth and professional development of over 200 support staff.
Robbo said having a skilled and informed team of Support Workers, helps create an environment where the individuals we care for can feel safe, while also developing healthy connections; these skills are vital in healing from trauma.
Mitchell remarked how he enjoyed attending the classes, coming across different Support Workers he normally would not get to meet. “I have really enjoyed the Diploma classes. It’s really easy going and relaxed, thanks to the great support from the Training Team,” he said.
The Training Team is under no misconception how the front line can at times, be a lonely place. Yet it shows through observation and experience the Diploma process provides Support Workers with a great opportunity to network both formally and informally, pre, during and post workshop.
Robbo mentioned about the number of times he has finished a workshop and walked into the café to see a group of Diploma learners grabbing a coffee and chatting about their experiences: “It’s great to see our staff making good friendships, and lasting ones too.”
Robbo also relates a story of a phone call he received from a staff member, who completed the Diploma in early 2020.
“Like many, she struggled initially and spoke of giving up on more than one occasion. She rang me to let me know she had just been enrolled in the Degree and shared how completing the Diploma gave her the self-belief and motivation to go onto bigger things,” he said.
If you feel over-whelmed at the prospect of completing qualifications, make sure you give the Training Team a call. They will be with you throughout your learning experience, offering both guidance and support, and take great pride in each and every staff member who is handed their certification upon completion of the Diploma.