Nina sees success thanks to Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program

Improving her literacy and computer skills through the SEE program has helped Nina into a stable job in a sector she loves and given her more confidence helping her children with their homework. 

Before becoming a first-time mum at 21, Nina* was already a carer. She helped care for her mother through illness and then taking care of younger siblings following her mother’s death.

“My mum was a single mum, I had lots of brothers and sisters. When she died, I took on the role of looking after my younger siblings,” shares Nina. 

Having two kids of her own in her early twenties, Nina combined motherhood with a variety of jobs including cooking and cleaning roles. 

With caring for others having been such a big part of her life, her own education had fallen to the backburner. Nina would feel frustrated that reading was more difficult for her than it was for others, so when her team recommended the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program, Nina was open to the idea.

The SEE program provides students with training in English, reading, writing, maths and computer skills. 

SEE students gain confidence in a range of areas including reading, writing and/or numeracy, computer skills and interview skills. These skills make everyday activities like shopping, paying bills, catching public transport and undertaking life administration tasks easier.

Many SEE students also go on to further study and/or more secure jobs and careers. 

Nina started the course part-time and when COVID arrived, she overcame her own challenges with technology and continued SEE online. 

The SEE course can be tailored to meet the needs of each student, and for Nina the course included support on how to apply for jobs online, how to use MyGov and how to complete workplace forms such as incident reports. 

With improved literacy and computer skills and newfound confidence Nina was ready to re-enter the workforce.

As she looked toward the future it was no surprise that Nina was drawn to a career in the caring sector. Nina decided that rather than working as a carer, she would prefer to work as a cleaner in the aged care sector.

“MAX helped with preparing my resume, my interview, they even told me how to dress,” she says of preparing for her interview at an aged care facility in Adelaide. 

She landed the job and is loving putting both her cleaning and caring experience to good use.

With improved literacy and computer skills and newfound confidence Nina was ready to re-enter the workforce.

As she looked toward the future it was no surprise that Nina was drawn to a career in the caring sector. Nina decided that rather than working as a carer, she would prefer to work as a cleaner in the aged care sector.

“MAX helped with preparing my resume, my interview, they even told me how to dress,” she says of preparing for her interview at an aged care facility in Adelaide. 

She landed the job and is loving putting both her cleaning and caring experience to good use.

The new role has seen Nina transition from work to a stable and secure career. Her employer provides consistent shifts mostly within school hours allowing Nina to continue to care for her children.

And she feels valued.

“I don’t think they would want me to leave. The boss has told me I’m not allowed to leave,” she laughs. 

Nina’s SEE trainer Kirstie is delighted by the changes she’s seen in Nina since beginning SEE.

“She came in recently and it was so nice – she’s a whole different person,” she says. 

Chat with us to find out more about the SEE program or register your interest.

*Image: for privacy reasons, Nina chose not to have her photo shown. Image is stock.

The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.