As Hafza (left) finalizes her enrolment interview with VICSEG New Futures in Coburg, she’s flanked by an enthusiastic support crew determined to see her across the line and on the pathway towards a new career caring for our city’s elderly!

On the right stands Aisha* - Hafza’s sister, and a proud member of VICSEG New Futures’ 65,000 strong student alumni! In the middle stands Aisha’s cousin who, along with Hafza, will commence studies in the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) at our Braybrook campus next week.

“We’re here to provide moral support,” smiles Aisha, whose eyes sparkle with confidence and a playful sense of humour. Aisha completed two courses with New Futures Training seven years ago and has since amassed a successful career in residential aged care. Hafza, who migrated to Australia from Somalia only recently, hopes to build on this family legacy after learning about New Futures Training from sister Aisha. 

Aisha casts her mind back more than seven years to reflect on the role VICSEG played in helping her connect to her new Melbourne home.

“It was fun because I was new to the country back then,” Aisha said.

“It was easy to get there (Coburg campus), easy with public transport and everything. And it was fun coming to the class because it was all I had to do back then. I loved meeting new people from different backgrounds, getting to know them, and learning from other cultures as well.”

“I still have good friends from my studies all that time ago. A few of them, we did placement together and we still work together at the same place seven years later,” she said. 

New Futures Training offered a supportive and industry-focussed student experience that helped pave the way for employment success, says Aisha.

“It was great because I was supported. Honestly, New Futures Training, they helped me to set up and get a placement, and then after the placement, I got a job from the same workplace I did placement with, so it was really easy,” Aisha said.

“From what I can remember, I was really well supported throughout the process. I’m talking about assessments, practical classes and placement. I was supported throughout the process by my teachers and other staff. When I went to placement, I felt ready, like I kinda knew what was there waiting for me,” she said.

Aisha is happy to see Hafza follow in her footsteps.

“I feel really good about that because I know she’s going to have opportunities after finishing this course. Like jobs. And I know that she’ll be able to handle it,” Aisha said.

“From my cultural view, I think it’s a good job, a good role for her to be doing. In that sector, there’s a lot of female staff there. Also, you don’t have to compromise your culture when you’re doing that job. Like, the kind of dress you wear and stuff, you don’t have to compromise that,” she said.

VICSEG enrolments officer, Thushari, asks Hafza if she has any previous experience caring for older people.

At first Hafza hesitates.

“No, I've never done this kind of work,” Hafza says.

“Yes, you have,” her cousin interjects. “She has lots of experience caring for her aunty. Life experience. It’s our culture, man!” 

Hafza and her familial cheer squad are the product of a highly collective, tight knit culture where family takes centre stage. Elders, in particular, are revered by the younger generation, and providing care to elders is almost second nature. By the time a young person reaches maturity, they are typically highly qualified carers, educated by the winds of life itself.

“Elderly people in Somali culture are really respected,” says Aisha.

“We keep our elders with us (in the same house) no matter what, no matter what happens.”

“We look after them, even if they don’t really need our care. Like we have our Aunty with us right now. She’s with us, but she doesn’t really need us. It’s just what we do. For our elders, we’ll go over and clean their house, take them for shopping, do the little things that they need, because we’re brought up that way. We’re kind of expected to, because we grew up seeing that around - we automatically do that.”

This worldview built on connection, life experience and heartfelt reverence for those who have arrived on earth before us is surely an immense asset to an ageing Australian population and aged care workforce under unprecedented pressure.

Aisha agrees.

“I feel like having those values helps you to do well in the aged care sector too. It’s an easy switch to make. We already know what we’re doing, and we have a real passion for it too. It’s genuine care,” Aisha said. 

*Name altered for privacy reason.