It has been proven over time that education can provide valuable skills and knowledge for people to help them find employment. In this feature, we showcase Htayi Padawe, a mature aged student from Myanmar, who was a successful participant in Centacare’s SEE Program and who has recently found full-time work.

“I first heard about Centacare from my job provider, which was Wise Employment,” Htayi said. “I wanted to study at Centacare to improve my English skills and my computer skills, to get a job.

“When I first started, I struggled with listening and writing. I overcame these challenges by practicing more,” she said.

The Gosnells Site Coordinator, Rachel, was full of praise, not only for the way Htayi engaged with SEE, but also for her success in the Computer Skills for Work course.

“Before she was very scared to speak English. But then with her friends, and colleagues in class, we were able to do oracy and all those other things,” Rachel said. “She is more confident now in talking.

“In July, she was in the Beginners class in the Computer Skills for Work class. In October, she moved into the Intermediate class. Since she got a job, she stopped the class because it clashes with her work,” Rachel said.

From being part of the Computer Skills for Work course, Htayi was able to learn how to navigate job search websites, and also learnt how to write a job application.

“I was able to look at a job website, Seek, and I was able to apply online,” Htayi said.

Htayi now works full-time at Noonans Bakery in Canning Vale, a role she loves.

“I work from 10am until 6pm, Sunday to Thursday,” Htayi said. “I have to pack the bread, and stack the bread onto our trolley. The bread is already baked and comes to our site, and we need to put it through the machine.

“I’m still learning about operating the machine. At the moment, I have a supervisor helping me,” she elaborated.

“It’s a good job, because it allows me to send the kids to school and to pick them up,” she said.

By providing students with an accommodating environment, and individualised training, Centacare’s Skills for Education and Employment course, can help students attain the necessary skills required to gain employment.