Full Qualifications

HLT42015 CERTIFICATE IV IN MASSAGE THERAPY

Passionate about helping others? Interested in how the body works? A career in massage can be incredibly rewarding and provide you with a flexible work / life balance. During this nationally recognised training you will receive a wealth of theoretical knowledge covering anatomy, physiology, communication, and business skills. You will also gain invaluable practical experience in therapeutic massage techniques through our in-house student massage clinic. Upon course completion you will be ready to start your career as a massage therapist in a wide range of settings such as a private massage practice, spa/salon, sports or aged care facility. Tue & Wed (Plus Monday clinics for Term 2) 31 Jan - 20 Sep | 9 am - 4 pm *Fee Free places available if eligible, see p.4 for details

CHC42015 - CERTIFICATE IV IN COMMUNITY SERVICES

Have you always wanted to make a difference and have a positive impact on others? A career in community services can be challenging at times, but also incredibly rewarding and provide you with the opportunity to support communities, groups and individuals in a wide range of settings. Guided by our highly skilled industry current trainers, you will develop the personal and professional skills required to start your career as a community services worker. This nationally recognised course includes work placement. Tue, Wed & Thu, 7 Feb – 29 Jun l 9 am – 4 pm *Fee Free places available if eligible, see p.4 for details

CHC33015 - CERTIFICATE III IN INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT (DISABILITY)

Want to make a real difference in the lives of those living with a disability? A career in Individual Support can mean working within a secure and flexible employment environment. With the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), there is no better time to get involved and learn how you can support people in your community. This nationally recognised course includes work placement, where you practice and hone your skills and knowledge in the disability sector. Tue & Wed, 7 Mar – 21 Jun l 9 am – 4 pm *Fee Free places available if eligible, see p.4 for details

Before commencing my Certificate IV in Community Services course at Byron Community College I was a Tradie, working as a Handyman. I had been for my entire career! As I thought about heading into semiretirement, the idea of going back to study was pretty difficult and daunting at first.

The challenges of technology, group interaction and being in a classroom was all very new and a lot of change for me. I had to change my whole mindset and go into a student mode.

Community Services was not what I thought it would be either! Studying full time was a big commitment. It’s a big course that covers a lot of information like laws, policies, procedures. youth, aged care, mental health and homelessness. There’s also a lot of group interaction, sharing and talking. It really pushed my boundaries and was really good for me! I was a bit scared looking back.

I learnt a lot from the other students too, which you don’t realise at the time. This ended up being one of the most valuable things for me actually.

Having lived in Byron Bay for 27 years, I knew I wanted to go back to helping and giving back to this incredible community, A long long time ago I volunteered at the Byron Community Centre which I really enjoyed, and as a handyman I had a lot of older clients and was always interested in the interaction that I had with them.

So when choosing where to do my work placement I decided on Diversional Therapy in Aged Care (at RSL Lifecare in Suffolk Park). You take them on bus trips, go for lunch, spend time together getting them doing different things. It’s really inspiring!

This is where I started to get interested in men’s groups and particularly the ‘Men’s Shed’ and the brilliant work they do there. My final year presentation was on what it would take to start a Men’s Shed from scratch. As part of this I met the President of the Bangalow Shed and ended up being so inspired by him I joined their Men’s Shed group. After only a short time, I’m now on the Wellbeing Committee for that Men’s Shed. I feel HONOURED to be a part of it all.

We are soon to launch a ground breaking new initiative called Shed Mates, which will be rolled out Australia wide across all 1200+ Sheds. We bring inspiring people into the Shed to give talks and tell their stories. And it started here in the Byron Shire! I feel like I’ve definitely found my calling! And a great blend of my two passions and skills.

If you are thinking about going back to study GO FOR IT! At first it’s challenging, but in the end it’s rewarding. You’ll definitely transform through it. NATIONALLY RECOGNISED TRAINING