30 May 2022

TAFE NSW has helped a Moss Vale great-grandmother again prove the adage “you’re never too old to learn” – or to start your own business.

At an age when most of her friends are easing into retirement, Jenny Wilson, 66, this year launched her own horticulture business, Planting by Design.

The grandmother-of-12 and great-grandmother-of-two turned to TAFE NSW Moss Vale last year to gain the practical business skills she needed to make her new venture a success, completing the Certificate II and III in Business Administration.

“I’ve been in gardening for 30 years but after waiting for knee surgery, which meant I couldn’t do the physical side of gardening any longer, I had an idea of starting a garden design business,” Mrs Wilson said.

“I wanted to gain the computer literacy skills to design the gardens on a computer for the client.

“Today, you really have to be online to manage a business but I didn’t grow up online like today’s generation.

“My TAFE NSW experience was unbelievable; it really helped me manage a computer, understand what running a business was about, and get my head around things like work, health and safety.”

Mrs Wilson said business had been growing steadily since she launched Planting by Design in January.

She encouraged other older Highlanders to consider how TAFE NSW Moss Vale could help them undergo a professional reinvention.

“Don’t be afraid to try something new and different, you might surprise yourself,” Mrs Wilson said.

TAFE NSW Moss Vale Business Services Teacher Nola Peters said enrolments were now open for the Certificate III in Business (Administration) for semester two, commencing in July.

“It’s so wonderful to see Jenny reach her goal of opening her own business and you could really see her confidence and enthusiasm grow as the courses progresses,” Ms Peter said.

“A business qualification from TAFE NSW gives you the foundational administration skills that are transferable to every single business out there.

“And the employment outcomes for our graduates are strong.”

To explore the range of courses available at TAFE NSW and via TAFE Digital, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601 for more information.

Media contact: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, mobile 0477 722 428