Anh Dau moved to Australia from Vietnam in 2022, prioritising her children’s education. While she and her family had a stable business back home, she initially didn’t plan to work. With her husband frequently traveling and her children still young, she focused on settling into a new country.
However, by the end of 2024, with her eldest heading to university and her younger children more independent, Anh knew it was time to enter the workforce. But where to begin?
Discovering Career Guidance at Macquarie Community College
Anh’s journey to employment started with a friend who introduced her to Macquarie Community College while enrolling in the aged care course. Initially interested in a Barista course, Anh found the Career Guidance Workshops and decided they were the right fit to start her new journey.
The NSW Government’s Adult and Community Education (ACE) Program provides affordable, local training and education to NSW communities. Under the ACE program, participants, employers, delivery partners and providers and the government collaborate to improve learning outcomes for learners and meet community training needs.
Accessing the ACE funding, Anh enrolled in 8 workshops designed to help people like Anh navigate the Australian job market:
- Reflect on past success
- Career Decision Making
- Self Esteem and Confidence Building
- Skills Profile and Skills in Demand
- Job Skills Match
- Write a Winning Resume
- Write a Winning Cover Letter
- Winning Interview Skills
- Mock Interview Superstar
- Create your own personal brand LinkedIn Workshop
Overcoming Barriers with the Right Support
Before joining the course, Anh faced multiple challenges:
“I assumed it was difficult for someone without prior local experience to get a decent job. My English is not as good as someone living here for many years (not to mention native speakers). I didn’t know what the company was looking for in a candidate. And importantly, I didn’t know what job to apply for.”
Step by step, the workshops helped Anh build confidence, improve her resume, and practice interview techniques. She learned how to highlight her skills and present herself as a strong candidate.
A Job Offer – Faster Than Expected!
Anh applied for a position and followed everything she learned at Macquarie Community College. The results?
“I cannot wait to tell you that I got the job offer for the position that I applied for. Zoom interview yesterday, in-person interview this morning, and offer sent this afternoon. They said they were very impressed.“
It was the message Ahn sent to Denise Dewar, Macquarie Community College Trainer, with the words of gratitude.
Denise was very happy for Ahn:
“It was an absolute pleasure having Anh in my Career Development classes. From the moment she attended her first workshop, it was clear that she brought a wealth of experience with her, however had lost the confidence in her ability to secure employment.
Over the course of the workshops, I had the privilege of watching Anh undergo a remarkable transformation. Her confidence grew, and she became more skilled at articulating her value, strengths, and how she could contribute to the goals of a potential employer.
I am incredibly proud of Anh’s resilience, determination, and the hard work she put into this journey. It’s truly inspiring to see her secure meaningful employment, and I have no doubt she will continue to excel.”
Anh’s success is a testament to the power of community education. She not only gained technical skills but also built the confidence to succeed.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re looking for professional guidance in your career journey, check out our Get Job Ready workshops in Chatswood or Blacktown. With expert support and practical tools, you can move from uncertainty to employment – just like Anh.