Beecroft local Subani Samarasinghe has found her independence and achieved her career goals – landing a role in business administration at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Sydney with help from TAFE NSW.

Ms Samarasinghe immigrated to Australia in 2018 and though she had a strong background in business administration and as a finance executive in Sri Lanka, she was finding it difficult to break into the Australian job market.

“After I arrived in Australia I went through some very hard times and was finding it extremely difficult to secure any of the positions I interviewed for,” Ms Samarasinghe said.

“Once I enrolled in the Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, I started to gain practical workplace skills and knowledge that I could use to apply for and gain employment.”

The business services sector in Australia currently employs over 1.6 million people (around 13% of Australian jobs), with employment in the sector forecast to grow almost 3% through to 2024. There is a high demand for business administrators and managers with professional skills in technology, customer service and document production across all industries.

Head Teacher of Literacy and Foundation Education at TAFE NSW, Elizabeth Blenman, says the Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways can help job seekers increase their confidence and prepare them for their next step in study or work.

“Subani was very anxious when she first started studying at TAFE NSW but with time began to feel more confident in her abilities,” Ms Blenman said.

“Students in the Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways develop foundational skills in mathematics, digital literacy, workplace communication and interactions, and how to break into the job market.”

A few weeks ago, Ms Samarasinghe was successful in achieving a position as a stenographer cum typist at the Sri Lankan embassy from a field of over 100 applicants. She now performs a range of duties for the Sri Lankan Government including processing official documentation.

“I would not have been able to secure this position without the help and support I received from my teachers and peers at TAFE NSW.

“After all that I have been through it means so much to me to have a stable job and to feel secure in my career prospects for the future.”

To find out more about the range of study options available at TAFE NSW including the Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601.

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