CQU disability course helps Trevor stay fighting fit as a support worker

Sixty-two-year-old Home Support Association (HSA) worker Trevor Renata is glad he has CQUniversity by his side to help him help people with a "different ability".

Trevor' who has been five years in the job' assists up to three clients per day in the Rockhampton/Yeppoon area' and loves seeing them smile.

"I don't see it as a disability – I see it as a different ability and we all have it'" he said.

"It's the clients who keep me motivated and I love seeing them smile.

"It makes me happy to help them reach a goal and make sure they have the chance to do whatever everyone else can."

Trevor said he became interested in becoming a support worker after retiring from the mining industry.

"Because I was still active' I ended up looking after a family friend. I found it challenging to look after her' but a lady I knew suggested that I would make a good support worker'" he said.

"Home Support Association was running a recruitment drive and I secured a role there."

Soon after' Trevor went to CQU TAFE and completed a Certificate III in Individual Support' and a teacher encouraged him to consider a Certificate IV in Disability.

"I found that course much more interesting and after working so long in the mines I just wanted to give back'" he said.

"HSA have been very supportive of my studies' and I've even been able to pass on things I've learned to my colleagues.

"I found the Providing support to people with dementia and facilitate the empowerment of people with disability: Follow established person-centred behaviour supports modules to be very beneficial and interesting.

"I would highly recommend the course to all future students. It provides you with a basic understanding and structure for supporting people with different ability and can open so many doors."

For more information about the Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43115) visit certificate-iv-in-disability or call 13 27 86.

Further information can be found at the CQU TAFE Careers Expo' to be held on 18 January 2023 at the CQUniversity Mackay City campus on Sydney Street from 2 – 5.30 pm Simultaneous events will be held at CQUniversity Gladstone Marina on Bryan Jordan Drive and CQUniversity Rockhampton City on Canning Street.