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TAFE NSW Commercial Cookery alum and mum-of-three has embarked on a new path to become her own boss in the culinary world, with the practical, hands-on training of TAFE NSW.

Research has shown the proportion of mothers entering and returning to work continues to increase year on year, as women seek balance between career and home life.

According to data, approximately 61 per cent of women in Australia are employed in paid work, indicating a growing trend of women building careers that allow them to prioritise work and family.

With more mums joining or staying in the workforce, TAFE NSW is helping women to craft a career that provides the flexibility needed to raise children while pursuing professional ambitions.

TAFE NSW student Rachel (Mei) Lau grew up learning to cook from her mother, who ran a restaurant for 40 years in their home country of Malaysia. Rachel credits her mum with giving her the inspiration to pursue her own career as a chef.

After living and working in Australia for over 20 years, Rachel decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and study Commercial Cookery at TAFE NSW.

“I always enjoyed watching my mum in the kitchen and the joy it brought to her customers. Truthfully, I never thought I would end up choosing the same career, but it must be in my blood,” said Rachel.

With two grown children and an eight-year-old daughter, Rachel wanted to shift her career towards something that fulfilled her professionally and still enabled her to spend time with her family.

Teaming up with a friend from her children’s school, Rachel opened a café in Marrickville late last year.

“I worked in various hospitality jobs for 20 years and I knew when I had my last child that something needed to change. I wanted the flexibility to be there for my children, while pursuing my own career goals,” said Rachel.

“Learning to cook from my mother, I wanted to pass the knowledge along like my mother did with me. Studying at TAFE NSW gave me the skills and confidence to do that, and I’m proud to be setting an example for my children.”

For many women, caring for children remains the largest barrier to taking paid work – 31 per cent of mothers with children aged under four years are not in the workforce. More mums like Rachel are taking advantage of further study options to shape a new career that will allow them to be hands on with both career and family.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher Tourism and Hospitality Allan Clarke believes TAFE NSW training is a valuable pathway to begin a new career or reshape an existing one.

“TAFE NSW’s courses give people the opportunity to develop practical skills that will benefit them in the workforce, whether they are looking to upskill in an existing career or build a whole new career,” said Allan.

“We’re proud to see more students coming through who want to take advantage of these opportunities and recognise that TAFE NSW can offer them a new path forward.”