Carol Blanch had already raised three grown-up daughters when she had her fourth child. However, after many years of raising children, Carol struggled to find her feet again and secure paid employment to support her 5-year-old son.
“I was a single parent with 50/50 care of my son. I had no idea whatsoever what I was going to do to get back into the workforce,” Carol said.
In a beautiful twist of fate, it was her two eldest daughters who helped her take the next step on her journey.
They led their mother to ParentsNext – a free support program that helps parents plan their steps towards study or work. As mothers themselves, they had found the same guidance and support that their mother needed through the program.
“I started with the program in January 2022. My first appointment with Fiona of Multicultural Australia (MA), we spent the time getting to know each other. She got a feel of what my interests were and where my goals could be set to find work,” said the mother of three.
“It really did help having that person that understood being out of the workforce for so long.” Through ParentsNext, Carol was able able to obtain the qualifications needed to work in the food and beverage industry. The customer service aspect of the training helped her build confidence to engage in a business environment and improve her communication skills.
She puts all these to good use at her current job as a chef at a local pub in Rockhampton. Carol credits the considerate and personalised approach that MA staff took to truly know her and help create a path that speaks to her own aspirations.
