One Ashford resident is facing a new year of vocational study, because she said it changed her life.
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Jennifer Blackey enrolled in her first course at TAFE New England in 2013 after suddenly losing her husband of 25 years.
Jennifer, now age 50, and lives in Ashford, awoke one day after a long period of mourning, depression and reclusiveness and decided to make a change.
Jennifer said “I got out of bed one day and decided that my life was far from over, that I couldn’t go on feeling sorry for myself and that I needed to change my life.
She phoned and learnt of a Certificate III in Education support after speaking with the TAFE support staff, and enrolled due to desire to help others.
“Since then, I haven’t looked back!” she said.
While studying her course, Jennifer secured a position at Ashford Central School as a teachers’ aide.
It was there she learnt and developed skills which she decided to enhance by enrolling in the Certificate IV in Youth Work in 2015.
Jennifer soon secured employment with a family support provider, Pathfinders in Inverell.
“As my confidence grew and I gained valuable experience working with young people, I knew I wanted to continue to support young people and help them get on the right track,” she said.
“I enrolled in the Certificate III in Community Services last year, which complimented the work I had been doing and the skills and knowledge that I had learnt while completing the Certificate IV in Youth Work.”
Jennifer has now enrolled in the Certificate IV in Community Services, which she will study online from her home in Ashford this year.
“I have learnt how to network with other organisations, the confidence to instigate conversations with people and developed a sense of purpose, which have changed my life and now I want to help others change theirs,” she said.
“In fact, I’ve been speaking to the other students in my course about putting together a study group one day per week at the Inverell campus so that we can all support each other to complete the course.”
The TAFE New England Inverell campus is open each weekday from 8.30am-4.30pm for community members to obtain course information, speak with teachers, careers advisors and support staff.
Potential students can also visit tne.edu.au or phone 1800 448 176 for more information.