Local organisation trains record graduate numbers
to secure work in ageing and disability sectors.

The past year has caused people of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on their lives and re-evaluate their work/career path. For many this has led to re-training and for some, a complete change of career. 

CEO of Daisy Learning, Ruth Noordijk has seen a broad diversity of people seeking qualifications to work in the ageing and disability sectors. For many it is a radical change to their previous occupation.

“The Community Services sector is suitable for a diverse range of people. Because people who are ageing or have disability are diverse. And who wouldn’t want support workers that they can relate to?

“We have had people in high school completing traineeships, to people from a wide range of professions, including corporate, tradies, retail and hospitality to stay at home  parents getting back to work,” she said. 

“It is exciting to see people making this leap of faith to a more fulfilling role. We have had graduates from 16 - 70 years old!”

Ruth started Daisy Learning in 2012 after a long career in the IT sector. 

“I had been contracted to build an online learning management system for an aged care organisation. I did some research into training for the community services sector, and decided to take my own leap of faith and change my career direction, by starting a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), to provide nationally accredited training as well as professional development courses,” she said. 

“I really wanted to go into the Community sector not only because I believe in the importance of having highly trained people to look after the most vulnerable members of our community, but also because I know that our graduates have such excellent employment prospects and opportunities in an industry that can be personally rewarding. My vision when I started this company was to become the very best at what we do.”

Clearly the team at Daisy Learning are doing something right. Since 2012, they have trained 1,600 students with a 90% completion rate for Certificate III courses, against a national average of 49%. A further, 75% of their graduates improved their employment status after training, compared with a national average of 59%. Their graduate satisfaction rate sits at a whopping 95.66% compared with the national average of 86.8%.

Daisy’s graduate satisfaction rate sits at 

95.66% compared with the national average of 86.8%

“I think there are a number of reasons why our students enjoy our courses and experience such success in securing rewarding employment at the end,” said Ruth. 

“To begin with, we qualify people before they enrol. This type of work is not suited to everyone. People must be doing it for the right reasons, not just to get a job. We do our best to ensure this industry is right for them and vice versa. We discuss their expectations about the industry, and what the industry will expect of them. We fully support students from the first enquiry, throughout their training until they receive their certificate. And then onwards if they choose to complete further training. Our trainers are experienced and dedicated to delivering high quality training. 

“We do not ‘tick and flick’ just to get people through the coursework in a rush, there are no shortcuts. We are very strict with compliance and this means that our graduates are extremely well prepared for both work placement and entering the workplace. 

“We are grateful for the fantastic, mutually beneficial relationships we have with a network of organisations who work with us so our graduates will have a well-rounded learning experience. 

“I believe our work-integrated training approach has been instrumental in reinforcing the best possible training so that our students become the best possible support workers.”

As previously mentioned, training for the community sector is open to people of all ages. 

“This can be a wonderful career progression for anyone looking for a more rewarding career with the opportunity of flexible working hours,” said Ruth. “For the staff at Daisy Learning, we love our jobs when we see how much students enjoy their training. When they have completed and we hear them make comments like, ‘I should have done it years ago’, or ‘I can’t believe I get paid to do this’, then we know we are on the right track.”