Education and Training at YWCA Canberra

27 June 2017

YWCA Canberra is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO National Number: 1373) that nurtures a culture of learning within the organisation and the broader community. Our Training Unit offers a diverse range of accredited and non-accredited courses, which can be accessed through fee-for-service, work-based traineeships and funded jobseeker services. The key areas of training that we provide are in women’s leadership through the She Leads Diploma of Leadership and Management, training and assessment, early childhood education and care and business administration.

We caught up with our new Training Unit Manager, Ellouise Boel to get an insight into the team, and find out how providing education and training opportunities to the Canberra community fits in with YWCA Canberra’s broader strategic objectives.

Tell us about your role at YWCA Canberra?
As the Training Unit Manager, my role is to provide leadership and management to the Education and Training team. This includes ensuring we maintain compliance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations. I also provide advice and support to the team which includes guidance on student issues and reviewing training programs to ensure they meet the requirements of the training course and units within the course.

Why does YWCA Canberra offer the specific certificates and diplomas that we do?
YWCA Canberra offer a variety of courses including qualifications in early childhood education and care, business administration and leadership and management. These courses lead to students graduating with nationally recognised qualifications, which can often lead them to new jobs or further development within existing jobs. YWCA Canberra offers these particular courses because they strongly align with our Strategic Directions and Priorities, such as ensuring women are secure, independent and able to participate economically, as well as having opportunities to influence, lead and participate in decision making processes.

What is the most popular accredited course that YWCA Canberra offers, and why?
Our most popular courses are in early childhood education and care. These include CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, with approximately 110 students currently enrolled. Students enroll in these courses to gain the skills and knowledge required to either start their careers or further develop their career in the early childhood (ECEC) sector. At YWCA Canberra, we strongly believe in the value of quality ECEC within our community. We also believe that every child has the right to high quality early childhood experiences.

What are the community and career benefits someone can gain from attaining a new qualification?
By gaining a new qualification, people are able to use the skills and knowledge to enter the workforce or enhance their careers. This can lead to a flow on effect within the wider community, and see people with improved self-confidence empowered to take the next steps in their careers.

How do I enrol in a course?
To enrol in one of our courses, prospective students should read the course information on our website and then complete an enrolment form (also available on our website) and submit to the training unit.

How does increasing education opportunities through YWCA Canberra effect gender equality?
YWCA Canberra’s education opportunities can affect gender equality by providing individuals with improved self-confidence, skills and knowledge in their chosen area of education and a nationally recognised qualification that can be used to improve their careers.

What makes you proud to work at the Y?
Working for an organisation that advocates for gender equality and supports women to enhance their capabilities is a major reason I like working for YWCA Canberra. I also enjoy working with a group of people who share similar personal values and beliefs.

To find out more about YWCA Canberra’s Training and Education opportunities, visit the website, or get in touch at training@ywca-canberra.org.au.

Tags: Business administration, Diploma of Management, Early Childhood Education and Care, gender equality, Leadership, training and assessment, Women's leadership, YWCA Canberra team