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TAFE Queensland collaborates with the St Vincent de Paul Society to help Toowoomba residents change their lives
TAFE Queensland is working alongside the St Vincent de Paul Society in Queensland to support pathways to training for Toowoomba-based community members who are disadvantaged or at risk of experiencing disadvantage via scholarships.
St Vincent de Paul Society’s Scholarship Program Coordinator – Toowoomba, Kacey Fitzgerald, said that her organisation’s scholarship program has been specifically designed to help people facing barriers to education by offering practical support, mentorship and career counselling.
“The scholarship recipients receive financial support worth up to $1500 to assist with educational expenses, but most importantly each student is matched with a mentor to guide them through their educational journey,” said Kacey.
“We find that the role of the mentor is vital to providing practical support and encouragement to the students.”
“We also connect the recipients with additional resources and learning events designed to complement their studies, including much-needed career guidance at TAFE Queensland.”
In her role as a counsellor at TAFE Queensland, Megan Buxton helps people to decide on the right career path for them and choosing a course.
In her role, Megan provide practical advice to prospective and current students so they can achieve their professional goals.
Working with Kacey at St Vincent de Paul Society, Megan guides scholarship recipients on their pathways to training and their career aspirations.
"It’s been great to run workshops with the scholarship recipients and their mentors to map out career goals, and then organise and prioritise the steps to achieving those goals,” explained Megan.
“We also touch on important mental health topics and the resources and support services available locally to the recipients."
Scholarship recipient, Jason Hateley, said that TAFE Queensland’s counsellor provided him with guidance and alternatives when he felt uncertain about his future career.
"The collaboration between TAFE Queensland and the scholarship program has been very encouraging and helpful. TAFE Queensland’s counsellor gave me direction and options when I felt lost,” said Jason.
For Jason, the program has also offered him valuable support and much-needed motivation.
“It’s provided me with practical support, guidance, and encouragement – one of the best parts was being paired with a learning mentor who imparted an abundance of learning and life experience. Knowing that others also face social and well-being challenges helped greatly."
Established in 2019, the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland’s Toowoomba scholarship is open to anyone living in the Toowoomba Regional Council catchment who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Individuals on a Humanitarian visa are also encouraged to apply.
Ten scholarships are offered per year, with two rounds of applications are available each year, in April and October.