CIT SPARK Community Services Taster cohort celebrates program completion

The Ginninderry / SPARK Community Services Taster Program and the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) recently celebrated a certificate ceremony for a 20-student cohort that has gained work ready skills to enter the disability and aged care sector.

The CIT SPARK Community Services Taster Program helps students to gain accredited units of competency that provide the basic skills needed across a number of roles in the community services industry. The program is a dedicated pathway to employment providing students with direct access and connections to potential employment opportunities.

Ginninderry works closely with the community providing opportunities for youth at risk, mature workers, veterans, unemployed individuals who want to return to the workforce, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have traditionally experienced a range of barriers.

Emma Sckrabei, SPARK Training and Employment Manager said, "The Community Services Taster Program has been a valuable addition to the SPARK program in 2019.

It is rewarding to deliver a program in a sector where there is a shortage of skilled workers and we look forward to assisting our newest CIT SPARK graduates to enter the community services field."

Throughout the program, the students received wrap-around support services including, additional resources and mentoring catering to each individual's needs and addressing existing barriers to employment.

Karen Noble CIT Coordinator, Aged Care, Disability and Skills for Carers said, "The certificate of completion awarded to these students recognises their achievement throughout the program. The students now have a better understanding of the job pathways available in the community services sector and are being encouraged to complete their Certificate III level qualifications."

CIT SPARK Community Services Taster Program receives funding support from the ACT and Australian Governments through the Future Skills for Future Jobs Grants Program, under the National Partnership on the Skilling Australians Fund.