Program Helping Mums Return To Work

20 December 2007

COMBINING raising a family with study is no easy feat, but for parents Angela Buesnel and Tania Anderson the task was made easier with the help of a new training program through The Salvation Army Employment Plus.

The two women, who have seven children between them, were part of a group of 17 students who graduated yesterday from the 10-week employment training program with a Certificate III in Aged Care, allowing them to be employed as assistants in nursing.

Program regional manager Barry Martin said the course was designed to suit the thousands of parents returning to the workforce due to changes in the Government's parenting payment, which came into effect on July 1.

There are almost 12,000 people on single-parent payments in the Hunter Region.

"This program is not only for parents but we've tailored it so we fit what normal students would do in a seven-hour day, five-day week into 41/2 hours each day from Monday to Thursday," Mr Martin said.

Mrs Buesnel will start working as a nursing assistant at the John Hunter Hospital on January 7.

Despite some new-job jitters, she is excited about the opportunity.

For Mrs Anderson, work experience at Rutherford Nursing home has turned into three months' permanent work.


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