Katrina builds new career after life-changing accident
A life-changing accident in November 2014 could have ended Katrina Stokes’ working career. After falling down the stairs at her home, Katrina required emergency surgery to repair fractures in her right ankle and torn ligaments in her left ankle. Up until this point, working on her feet was all Katrina ever knew; she owned her own business, operating an industrial café. However, she now faced a set of crossroads; either learn a new set of skills and find her way back into the workforce, or consign herself to never being employed again. Katrina knew the answer – so she turned to MatchWorks.
MatchWorks advised of the various training and support options available to help Katrina in pursuing a new career. Katrina decided she would like to do a course in Aged Care, either in home care or entertainment, rather than lifting and assisting at an aged care facility. To assist with returning to study at age 58, she first undertook basic and advanced computer training courses via genU Training. With her confidence increased, in February 2016, Katrina enrolled into Certificate III in Individual Support at genU Training. By the end of the year, Katrina had successfully completed her Certificate and could now begin applying for jobs in the field.
Katrina Stokes has found a new career thanks to help from genU Training and MatchWorks
With the assistance of MatchWorks, a position at Prestige In-Home Care was applied for in May 2017, and less than a month later, Katrina had successfully completed an interview, been offered a position, and commenced work with the company. For the next six months, MatchWorks assisted Katrina as part of their post-placement support, and she was nothing but positive about her employer and the work she was doing.
Katrina has exceeded the expectations of her employer and has now been working four days a week at Prestige for more than 12 months. She said that even at her later stage of life, studying and changing careers was “the best thing I’ve ever done”.
For more information about how MatchWorks can help you find a new career 1300 13 23 63.