​​​​​​​Patricia 'Trish' Darcy and her niece and nephew, Teagan and Richard Greenaway, have graduated from TAFE NSW with the highest level of formal education in the family's history.

The proud Weilwan family have all completed a Certificate III in Animal Studies at TAFE NSW Warren, battling COVID restrictions and the challenges of studying in a remote community to graduate with flying colours.

The trio love spending time together and have now been employed by local labour hire company First People Solutions to work at a local tyre recycling company.

“We needed reliable people and they showed such commitment at TAFE NSW that we thought they would be great candidates,” First People Solutions owner Phil Thompson said.

“We chose them for that attitude of dedication to their studies. Education absolutely 100% leads to employment out here. And these guys have been amazing – they haven’t missed a day since they started.”

Richard said he was thrilled to have completed his studies and would love to one day work at Australia Zoo.

“It feels good; I feel proud,” the shy 24-year-old said.

“I’d love to work more with animals in the future but it’s also really good working locally and getting a pay cheque.

Ms Wheeler said that TAFE NSW has provided the family with industry-recognised qualifications as well as building their self-esteem and making them job-ready for local employment opportunities.

“They have learnt so many additional skills on top of the industry qualifications – skills that are transferrable and are part of the reason they are now employed,” she explained.

“They have gained skills around autonomy; their vocabulary and ability to speak to employers has improved; they have a better understanding of technology; and they learnt reception and office skills that can be used in any job and in their own lives. I think they surprised themselves with how much they learnt.

“It’s also been great for supporting their self-determination and confidence; it’s given them greater trust in themselves. Many of our Aboriginal students have been turned off education having had negative experiences with institutions, so to graduate after such a positive experience is really life-changing.”

Pursue your passion and explore hundreds of nationally recognised qualifications at TAFE NSW. For more information, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.
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​​​​Media contact: Terra Sword, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist.