Jasmine Ries may not have nailed her HSC, but the 20-year-old has found success studying at TAFE NSW and is pursuing her dream of becoming a primary school teacher.

The Seven Hills local completed a Certificate III in Education Support earlier this year and has now progressed to a Certificate IV in Education Support, both at TAFE NSW Miller.

Her work placement at Parramatta Public School has already led to part-time work and she plans to get her primary school teaching qualifications once she graduates from TAFE NSW.

“TAFE NSW has absolutely given me the skills I need to do my job and it got me work so quickly. It’s fantastic,” Jasmine said.

“I’d already built relationships with the students and teachers at Parramatta Public School so it was fantastic that I didn’t have to say goodbye and could continue building on those connections. The TAFE NSW work placement has affirmed how much I love working in education and that I’ve made the right career choice.”

Jasmine was a martial arts instructor for under 12s throughout her high school years and loved working with children.

She said she has immediately been able to apply the practical, industry skills she has learnt at TAFE NSW in the classroom.

“At the moment I am learning at TAFE NSW and then cementing that learning with students. I don’t have to use my imagination – I see how it works straight away in reality,” she said.

“Someone will be having trouble with reading in class, and I can hear my teacher in my head telling me how to approach it. The skills the TAFE NSW teachers have taught me are invaluable.”

According to the Federal Government’s Job Outlook agency, education support is a large workforce that is expected to see continued strong growth, with employment numbers predicted to reach 113,600 jobs nationally by 2025.

TAFE NSW education support teacher Sharon Crowther said she expects to see a further spike in demand as students return to school when COVID-19 restrictions ease.

“I think we will see an increased need for education support services because there will be children who need extra support as we move out of this pandemic and back to face-to-face learning,” Ms Crowther said.

“Many schools already need education support workers so there is a lot of casual part-time work available. It’s an industry that really suits people who have children and want to work part-time, and it can provide a really good segue for students who want to become a teacher down the track.”

Ms Crowther said education support provided an interesting and meaningful career.

“If you enjoy working with children and giving children with challenges a boost, then it can be a very rewarding career that offers great employment opportunities,” Ms Crowther said.

Explore hundreds of courses at TAFE NSW and pursue your passion with life-changing training. For more information visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.
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Media contact: Terra Sword, Communications Specialist. Phone: 02 6623 0325. Email: terra.sword@tafensw.edu.au.