12/06/2023
Meet Deb!
Deb is currently a Career Advisor for the Collie Jobs and Skills WA Centre, her story of tribulation and triumph inspires hope that it’s never too late for anyone to follow their passion into a career! Workforce Australia Local Jobs works closely with Jobs and Skills Centres in the South West WA.
Debs story:
I was born in Collie in the 60s and suffered severe burns as a child.
My childhood was, let’s say, very challenging with several different battles.
We moved around a lot when I was a kid. Hospital was my second home, so I missed a lot of foundation learning skills, and I dropped out of school at 14 years of age. I found it hard getting work due to my disability as it was in a time where employers could say “you’re not employable, because of your disability”. I thought I would be a wife and mother and that was my lot in life. Then, in my forties, I realised I wanted more. I could stay as I was after my kids finished school or I could start a career. I was the master of my own ship, but I thought it had sailed.
I went to TAFE and enrolled twice without entering the classroom. The third time I finally bit the bullet to start and I asked for support with my study because couldn’t understand the new, big words and it was tough.
I completed a Certificate 3 in Youth Work with lots of support from my lecturer who had plenty of patience and finally found my love of learning.
As a student, I was nominated for a Training Award from the then C.Y. O’Connor College of TAFE (now Central Regional TAFE) and I won. This meant that I was then nominated for the WA Training Excellence Awards in 2007 and, to my very great surprise and I honour, I won that as well. Next stop was Darwin to represent Western Australia in the National 2008 Training Excellence Awards. I was the Runner Up in that award.
Upon achieving my qualification, I began work as a School Based Community Liaison Officer that was intended to have a fixed term of 6 months. 7 years later that role finished due to the funding finishing. I then gained work as a youth worker, which was followed by working in a Men’s Residential Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre. My passion was, and is, helping others, that’s all I have ever wanted to do. As I continued to follow my career option, I began working as an Employment Consultant in Disability Employment Services, a position that I felt I did well and I was very settled.
Life, however, was not done with offering me career change chances. At the age of 60 years, I applied for the position I currently hold as a Career Advisor with the Jobs and Skills Centre in Collie. I am still following my passion of supporting others and thoroughly enjoy helping the community members, young and old, find their own career path. I now hold five qualifications and am currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice.
Learning is life long, age is just a number, and the only difference between success and failure is support. Find your passion, never be afraid to ask for help and start your own new journey.
You can visit Deb at the Collie Jobs and Skills Centre at 56 Forrest St in Collie to discuss your career options, make an appointment by calling 08 6371 3929 or email colliejsc@srtafe.wa.edu.au
Workforce Australia Local Jobs is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
