4 June, 2019

At just 23, Luci Lugsdin has the world at her feet – a beautiful young daughter, a promising rugby league career and part-way to a TAFE NSW qualification that will make her highly employable.

The born-and-bred local is set to complete a Certificate IV in Community Services at TAFE NSW Hay this year, a qualification in an industry that is booming nationwide.

A recent report from the Australian Industry and Skills Committee revealed the Health Care and Social Assistance industry is the largest employing sector in Australia, with 1.9 million people projected to be employed by 2023.

Despite living in a remote location, Ms Lugsdin is able to study her preferred course in her hometown by linking up via Connected Classroom each week with a teacher and classmates based at TAFE NSW Deniliquin.

And it will soon be even easier, with the NSW Government last month announcing TAFE NSW Hay would receive a new, state-of-the-art Connected Learning Centre, affording Hay residents a greater choice of courses.

“I find the Connected Classroom really good because you still have the interaction with the students and teacher, and you still have that shared learning experience,” Ms Lugsdin said. “I’ve also been really impressed with how committed the teacher is to seeing us learn the hands-on skills for the job.”

After graduating, Ms Lugsdin plans to pursue a career in child protection and family violence work, and is considering adding to her CV with a Diploma of Community Services.

In the meantime, she has her eye on another career – in the burgeoning sport of women’s rugby league.

Ms Lugsdin was recently part of the history-making Riverina Bulls side that claimed the NSW Women’s Country Championships. The Women’s NRL Premiership has just finished its inaugural season and with the AFLW booming, Ms Lugsdin is hopeful she can ride the wave to a semi-professional career.

“I’d love to go as far as I can in rugby league but it’s really important to have a formal qualification in an industry where there are plenty of jobs too,” she said.

Community Services Teacher Caroline Vella said TAFE NSW’s focus on tailoring learning to the student’s individual style meant distance learning was just as effective as being in the classroom.

She said job opportunities in the community services sector were plentiful and the career was suited to people who were thoughtful, respectful and caring.

Among the many positions a Community Services qualification could gain graduates were youth work, case works, assistant in nursing, community support worker, home care worker and more.

To find out more about studying Community Services at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Daniel Johns, TAFE NSW Media and Communications – Business Partner, 6938 1441, mobile 0477 722 428.