Kazanne Lees at TAFE Griffith, where she learned how to care for the elderly. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A Riverina woman who spent years caring for her sick mother is about to embark on a career in aged care.
Kazanne Lees, who lives in Warrawidgee, is just two weeks away from completing a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) at TAFE NSW Griffith.
Changing careers at 47 isn’t daunting for a woman who discovered she had a knack for caring for people after tragedy struck her own family.
“My mum had a stroke when she was 45, then another two strokes the next year. I helped my Dad look after her for the next 10 years – including times when she was on life support,” she said.
“We did a good job; she’s now 65. She’s moved to Queensland. She uses a walker but does most things for herself.”
Ms Lees was working on an almond farm but started to tire of driving tractors, so she decided to enrol at TAFE earlier this year to pursue something she knew she loved.
“I like caring for older people. At the end of the day, we’re all going to get a turn at being old, so we need people putting their hands up, especially given how much longer people live these days,” she said.
“It’s a rewarding job; you know you’ve helped someone to get through the day.”
Ms Lees is completing her placement at the aged care home Scalabrini, where she has learnt a few unexpected skills.
“A lot of the elderly residents only speak Italian – I sometimes get them to point to what they want,” she said.
“I’ve also learnt some Italian words. I now know il gabinetto means toilet.”
Ms Lees hopes to continue working in aged care after graduating, with plans to explore agency work that combines her passion for helping others with the flexibility to travel around Australia.
Students like her complete a nationally accredited qualification that provides a pathway to further study in aged care, nursing or community services.
TAFE NSW Individual Support Teacher Elizabeth Fornah said the demand for aged care and disability support workers was going to continue to grow in communities like Griffith.
“In the south inland region, health care and social assistance is forecasted to add almost 2740 jobs by 2028-29, while carers for the aged and people with disability are expected to be the region’s fastest-growing occupation,” she said.
“That’s why it’s so important that we’re skilling local people like Kazanne with the qualifications and practical experience needed to support their communities. Through their training, students complete 120 hours of industry placement, giving them hands-on experience.”
