Blog

Recently we expanded our operations with a new campus, in the culturally diverse, rapidly changing suburb of Epping. The opening ceremony was officiated by Donna Davis, Member of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales. Also present was David Collins PSM with senior staff of NSW State Training, Board members of Macquarie Community College, local service providers, staff and local students.

The theme of Refugee Week 2023, Finding Freedom, explores the concept of freedom and what it means to be free, including living without fear, having basic human rights upheld, and living without fear of persecution. To understand the sacrifices, challenges and decisions a refugee experiences, we interviewed our Advanced English student Denys Levchenko, who left the life he built in Ukraine to secure the safety of his family.

Results from The National Student Outcomes Survey are out! It revealed that Macquarie Community College is helping more Australians find employment, while meeting an unprecedented workforce shortage across multiple sectors, through its tailored training programs. The 2022 National Student Outcomes Survey was conducted by NCVER into VET graduate outcomes and satisfaction. It highlighted the success of the College in: - Improving employment outcomes for students - Increasing student satisfaction with training. The NSW Department of Education continues to recognise Macquarie Community College as a high performing provider.

Macquarie Community College celebrates Harmony Week 2023 with various events across our campuses.

Pam Kaur Sunner completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at Macquarie Community College. Pam came to Australia from Punjab, India in 1990 with her family. Pam took on a number of caring roles within her family including, her elderly parents and children of family members as well as her own children. After she commenced her Diploma at Macquarie Community College, she also endured the loss of two close family members but resolved to continue studying. Pam successfully completed her Diploma and has gone on to continue to work in childcare as a Diploma-trained educator.

We welcome 2023 with much excitement as we return to some kind of norm. There is something about starting a new year that encourages us to pause and reflect on how we can improve ourselves. Most of us will make that annual new year's resolution. Whether it's "exercise more", "change careers", and "learn new things", here are some tips on how to keep those plans in place and follow through your resolutions for 2023.

Despite experiencing significant barriers to study and enter the workforce, Sue Bryant's team of Child Care Trainers continue to deliver outstanding results from their students. “Nine out of ten students from the most recent graduating class were offered employment, with over 50 percent establishing themselves in full or part time work before they’d even finished the course”, notes Sue. Macquarie Community College have developed a new program called SKILLS4You to further bridge the gap and support learners through a holistic program. Each individual is assessed and a tailored plan developed based on their current learning and employment readiness.

“I tell my students that looking after a person who’s in their last stage of life is one of the most important jobs in the world,” says Heather, Community Services Lead Trainer at Macquarie Community College. “Some of these people have fought for Australia, and all of them have helped build and contribute to this country. It’s very satisfying to make a difference in their lives.”   Heather’s no-nonsense style, her directness in communicating, makes her a popular trainer of Aged or Disability Care courses. Without mincing words, she gives her students a complete picture of their client’s needs and that there are more than just physical and technical aspects to caring. 

“Find something that gives you hope for the future, then find people who will sit with you, guide you, and help you. We need help in the right way. I found this at Macquarie Community College, and it made all the difference.” The answer to improving everything in a new country, Ayana has found, is study. Correction: the right kind of study. Ayana was even offered a job during her work placement – before she graduated! Nowadays, Ayana is a successful worker in the Aged Care industry who enjoys heart-warming interactions with clients every day. However, Aged Care is a different industry from the one Ayana thought she’d be working in when she first migrated to Australia from Ethiopia.

“I want migrant women to know that they should not stop going after their dreams,” says Olga. Her career in Aged Care fits perfectly with her personal interests and love for people, and her flexible work hours fit neatly with her responsibilities to her family of five. Added to this, both work and training have introduced her to people from diverse cultures, giving her lifelong friends and a supportive community. SKILLS4You, a new program launched last month by Macquarie Community College, offers a program designed for migrant women wanting to work in aged care, disability care and child care.