Many in the Indonesian diaspora have had to rebuild their careers from zero in Australia, and Nirmala Nadia is one of them. She shares her experience pursuing certification in the aged care and disability support sector while still learning English.
The aged care and disability support sector remains one of the fields in Australia that continues to need workers. For some migrants, it has become a promising career path.
Nirmala Nadia, 58, is one of them. In her two years in Sydney, Nadia has grown used to moving from one job to another to support herself and her teenage child, she said. Painting, home repairs, cleaning, gardening, she added.
Then came an opportunity that changed her direction. The Indonesian diaspora member decided to pursue a Certificate III in Individual Support for Ageing and Disability through Macquarie Community College at the Canterbury City Community Centre in Lakemba.
The decision, however, was not simply about better pay, Nadia said. She has always wanted to help people, Nadia said. That principle has guided every job Nadia has taken, and it's what ultimately drew her to the care sector, she added.
When asked about the biggest challenge during her course, Nadia said it was English. Nadia divided her time between attending classes and studying the language, and continues to sharpen her English to this day, she added.
Communication skills, Nadia said, are essential in this line of work because carers need to understand their clients with patience.
How does Nirmala Nadia balance her studies with raising her teenage child? And what keeps someone who spent 15 years as a contractor in Indonesia optimistic about starting from zero?
Listen to the full story on the SBS Indonesian podcast.
