Jillian Seymour has signed on for a new career as a support worker after studying Auslan at TAFE NSW St Leonards.

A lifelong learner and mature aged worker, Jillian says though it has taken some time to find her niche, launching her new career in disability support feels like she has finally found her dream career.

One in six Australians are affected by hearing loss[1] and there are approximately 6,500 Deaf Auslan users in Australia. Demand for qualified Auslan Interpreters is high[2].

As the new year commences, Jillian is reminding school leavers that they can enrol now for the Certificate II in Auslan straight from school and pursue a fulfilling career helping others.

“Thanks to TAFE NSW I am now employed as a support worker who provides a community level communication role. If my client needs to communicate with the staff at her nursing home, I can do that. When she needs help to go to hydrotherapy, I can do that.

“When my client meets up with others within the deafblind community, if there is a communication need to say, sort out a restaurant order, then I fulfil that need, easing communication between the hearing and the deaf worlds.”

Jillian says the skills she received during her study at TAFE NSW helped her develop the confidence to pursue her dream career. Though she suffered from setbacks, the support she received from teachers at TAFE NSW means she is a passionate advocate for vocational education and training.

“Vocational education is not a fall back. The support teachers and career counsellors do an excellent job of matching your interests and basic skills with a vibrant necessary qualification that gives you practical skills.

“TAFE NSW is the place to concentrate on skill development and Auslan is no different.”

To learn more about studying Auslan at TAFE NSW in 2020, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601.

Media contact: Alice Dalley, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business partner, alice.dalley1@tafensw.edu.au, mobile 0402 528 210.