Women who recently settled in Brimbank from Afghanistan were supported by Council to undertake First Aid and CPR Training last month as part of an initiative funded by the State Government.
Some of the participants had low literacy skills and not undertaken any formal studies before. The accreditation in these news skills opens up new employment pathways where these skills are mandatory requirements, such as the care, education and construction industries.
The Maternal and Child Health Service, Council’s Neighbourhood Service and Brimbank Learning Futures joined together to deliver the first aid training.
Two local young women from the Afghan community were employed to support the participants throughout the learning activities. An education and employment support worker was also on site to help answer the women’s queries.
The team at Duke Street Community Centre provided childcare for approximately 20 of the women’s children aged from near newborn to 12 years old, which ensured high participation rates in the training.
The Afghan women had positive learning experience, felt socially connected and gained accreditation in a new skill.
