ways2work - Parents and carers
Building on your skills
An average Australian will have 10-12 different jobs in their lifetime. No doubt things will shift for you along the way too.
You are the best person to plan and manage your own career. It’s a journey that requires you to reflect, plan, train, retrain and take advantage of the range of opportunities, support and help you will find along the way.
As you plan your re-entry into the workforce, it’s worth thinking about the different ways you can build on the skills you already have to increase your chances of getting a job.
Volunteering makes a difference
After being out of the paid workforce for seven years, Trish found the value of volunteering as a way of re-entering the world of work and learning new skills. Read more about how Trish gained confidence and valuable skills through volunteering…
Start by asking yourself these questions
- What skills and knowledge do I already have?
Revisit or create your About Me profile. You can print it out and complete it in your own time. - What sort of work would I be suited to?
Go to What work would suit you to find out more. - Who can help me find out about what training I can do?
Go to Help with training and skills for information on the Victorian Government's Skills Stores and other links and resources to help you. - Can I get recognition for any of my prior skills or knowledge?
Skills Stores can help you achieve recognition for your skills and gain new qualifications, saving you time and money. This is known as recognition of prior learning (RPL) or skills recognition. Contact your nearest Skills Store for more information. The Training Support Network also has a Skills Recognition Tool. - Can I afford to pay for training?
Go to Returning to Earning grants to find out about Victorian Government assistance for parents and carers returning to paid work. You may also be eligible for JET Child Care assistance to cover child care costs while you're studying. Have a look in Other government assistance to find out more. - Could I do volunteer work?
Volunteering is a great way to build your confidence, develop new skills and connect with others in the community. If you add your volunteer activities to your resume, it shows that you’re committed, keen to gain experience and willing to put in extra effort. Being a volunteer is also an excellent way to meet new people or develop an understanding of an area of work you're interested in. Go to Help with training and skills which lists organisations that help people to find volunteer work.
Tell Us Your Story.
We'd like to hear from you about your experiences of balancing work and family.