Fee Free course starts Estelle’s career

Estelle Wyllie was at a loose end in her career when she happened to see an advertisement for Fee Free TAFE on Facebook.

The post immediately caught her attention, and soon she and her mother were browsing the TasTAFE website to see if she was eligible for Fee Free TAFE and what courses were available.

After leaving a full-time role at a chemist seeking a new career, Estelle was unemployed and not quite sure what she wanted to do next.

“I knew I wanted to do something to help people, but I wasn’t quite sure what.  When I saw Certificate III in Individual Support on the page, I knew that that was what I wanted to do.” Estelle said.

Estelle excelled through her Certificate III and was soon working under placement at Mosaic Support Services. Once she finished her placement, she was offered a permanent position at Mosaic.

It’s been a whirlwind ride for Estelle, and she feels very fortunate that she was able to study Fee Free at TasTAFE.

“If it wasn’t for Fee Free TAFE I wouldn’t have been able to do the course in the first place as I wasn’t in a position to pay for training at the time. It’s pretty much set me up with a career.”

Estelle is obviously a quick learner and dedicated to her training, and said the teaching and environment at TasTAFE allowed her to flourish.

“I did not enjoy high school, so I was a little unsure about starting any other form of training. It turns out I really had nothing to worry about, everyone was so nice and the teachers go out of their way to help you. It didn’t feel stressful at all because of all the support that you know you have around you. It was a great time and I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much as I did if I didn’t have the teachers I had, they were amazing.”

“I said when I was on placement at Mosaic that I feel like everything that I’ve learned at TasTAFE has stayed with me and come to the fore in my work here. TasTAFE really made me feel ready for my career.”

In her role at Mosaic, Estelle works closely with clients in their home, giving them all the support, they need to live their best life day-to-day.

“It’s really rewarding work. Just building a bond with them and being their mate means a lot to me. Being able to help someone as a job is really special to me.”

“I really feel like I’ve found my career, and I think I’ll go on and do further study in the field.”