Queensland Government Career Information Service helps to fast track qualifications
Thirty four year old Sheri Merenda had no idea that a visit to her local Skilling Solutions Queensland Customer Service Centre would lead to her completing Certificate III in Business Administration.
Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations, Tom Barton, said Mrs Merenda's story was just the tip of the iceberg of many more Queenslanders who would be helped into employment or training by Skilling Solutions Queensland.
"Skilling Solutions Queensland is our unique customised face-to-face training and career information service set up by the Queensland Government under the ground-breaking SmartVET strategy," Mr Barton said.
Mrs Merenda said she was taking a break from work to look after her children when she first heard about Skilling Solutions Queensland.
"I found a leaflet about the service in my letterbox and went to see them because I wanted to get recognition for my skills in administration through completing a training course.
"I had an idea about what skills I had, but visiting Skilling Solutions Queensland really showed me where my strengths lay and opened up a world of employment and training opportunities.
"I talked to the consultant about what work experience I had and she said that my knowledge and skills may be credited through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, which was great news to me.
"My consultant took me through the Smart Skilling Indicator program which highlighted the skills I already have and where training would benefit me. Shortly afterwards I received a referral letter to commence the RPL process for a Certificate III in Business Administration," Mrs Merenda said.
RPL allows workers who have acquired their skills through their working life to have their skills and experience assessed against the requirements of recognised relevant formal qualifications.
"After I collected my evidence for the RPL I was accredited eight units towards the Certificate III in Business Administration which requires twelve units in total to complete. I have been completing training to fill in the gaps and only have one unit to go," Mrs Merenda said.
"The service at Skilling Solutions Queensland was really personalised, I didn't feel like I was just a number. After my consultation I received a follow up call to make sure I was happy with my training and the outcome of my visit.
"I would definitely recommend this service to anyone. The consultation was easy-going but I definitely felt well informed. The line of questioning helped me to analyse myself in terms of skills and experience and made me realise the skills I already have and the scope of employment these could be applied to.
"I am confident that should I wish to change my career path, Skilling Solutions Queensland will be able to point me in the right direction. My consultant highlighted so many other career and training possibilities," Mrs Merenda said.
Since Mrs Merenda's visit to Skilling Solutions Queensland, she has commenced part-time employment as an administrative assistant which suits her family commitments.
Mr Barton said Skilling Solutions Queensland, which was opened by the Premier in March this year, is a key initiative of the State Government's three-year, $1 billion SmartVET strategy. Initially four service centres were opened; three in Logan City and one at the Open Learning Institute of TAFE at South Brisbane .
"Since then a pilot satellite service has been opened at the Gold Coast TAFE and mobile part-time services have been established in Eagelby, Boonah and Beaudesert.
"The first regional Skilling Solutions Queensland centre was also established in Rockhampton at the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE and was opened in early October 2005.
"Due to its success, planning is underway to expand the service by establishing centres in regional areas, one in the Stocklands Shopping Centre in Rockhampton and two further regional sites in Mackay and Townsville, expected to be opened in the first quarter of next year," Mr Barton said.