Chona chases her dreams of supporting her family and entering a rewarding career.

Mackay mother of one, Chona Williams, was determined to craft a bright future for herself, and her young family. Migrating from the Philippines, Chona jumped head-first into upskilling since arriving in Australia.

Without a formal qualification or work certificate, Chona admits she felt a little overwhelmed when she first commenced her mission to find work in Australia. Through Mackay Community Solutions, Chona embarked upon her journey; first up, learning to drive and gaining a Learner’s Licence.

Community Solutions provided Chona with the necessary tools such as a laptop, quiet office space, and one-on-one assistance to complete the Learner Licence course (PrepL). She was then assisted further by the accredited training and employment support provider, who covered the cost of the Learner’s Licence, through relevant funding, enabling her to become more independent.

But the motivated Mackay local didn’t stop there.

With assistance from Community Solutions Project Coordinator Cindy Nawakie, in June, Chona completed a Skilling Queensland for Work Program, obtaining a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) with 120 hours completed.

This program was recently industry-recognised, being a finalist in the Central Queensland Training Awards for the Community Training Initiative of the Year category. The award nomination was for a current project Community Careers, which delivers a Certificate III in Individual Support Ageing/Disability course in Mackay. The course enables Queenslanders to build and grow the skills they’ll need to provide individualised support and care to people in home, community, or healthcare settings.

As for Chona, the support she’s received has empowered her to apply and be offered a new role with OzCare Australia as a Support Worker. Chona now works towards her goal of becoming financially stable for herself and her family, while fulfilling her dreams of a rewarding career in healthcare.

Chona’s story is an inspiration, tackling challenges typical for those who move from a foreign country such as language barriers, social isolation and limited knowledge of support services. Not only has she tackled these barriers but she has reached her goal of becoming more independent and is set up for success in her future.

If you or someone you know is seeking support with entering the workforce or upskilling, reach out to Community Solutions. Take the first step on the path to unlocking your potential.