Patrick Ozonwa, who is studying a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Flinders, has benefited greatly from performing casual work in the aged care sector – a field closely tied to his health and social assistance studies.
Mr Ozonwa first learned about the benefits working in the disability sector when he attended an Information Session at Flinders University and obtained work after completing a Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged) in early 2018.
“Knowing that I needed casual work to sustain me during my study, I thought what better way than to find work which was meaningful and what’s more, would work in well with my Uni timetable,” says Mr Ozonwa in a story published in the Southern Disability Workforce Hub newsletter.
“The on-job experiences I’ve had – including at a health centre in Nigeria before coming to Australia – have enriched my life and I thoroughly enjoy improving and updating my skills to provide better person-centred support and care for residents.”
Mr Ozonwa says he would encourage any students studying allied health courses at university to consider support worker roles within the disability care sector.
“I contacted the Disability Workforce Hub following the Flinders information event to see how they could help me connect with an organisation that provides services to people with disabilities,” he says.
“I applied to Minda Inc for Disability Support Worker roles on evening shifts, then went through their staged process of recruitment and started induction in November, which is a great outcome for me and my future career.”
The Disability Workforce Hub works closely with Flinders University (Careers & Employability Service) to provide students studying allied health careers with information about pathways and careers in the disability sector.
The nature of tasks for support workers can provide invaluable on-job experience, as well as paid remuneration and transferable skills that are most valuable on completion of their studies.
A preparation workshop for students will be held in late February 2019, followed by an event where students can introduce themselves to employers wanting to fill specific positions in social work, nursing and psychology.
More details are available by phoning Hilary Healy at Career Partners Plus on 7231 5067, or by contacting Nalini Klopp at Flinders University on 8201 5247.