With a caring nature and a selfless attitude, Moree’s Naricah Smith was always destined for a career helping others. Now, thanks to the skills she has gained studying at TAFE NSW, the young Kamilaroi woman is thriving in her role as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing trainee at Flourish Australia.

Naricah, who is currently studying a Diploma in Mental Health after completing a Certificate IV in Mental Health at TAFE NSW Moree last year, takes great satisfaction in helping others.

Naricah said, “There are so many things I love about working with Flourish Australia, but the thing I enjoy most is seeing the people that we support become active members in the community and seeing them achieve their recovery goals.

“As people are experts of their own illness, it is an overwhelming feeling of joy to know that your work has given someone hope to move forward without their mental health being a barrier.

“I want people to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that they can be supported in taking that first step to access help through our important services.”

Proud TAFE NSW Welfare teacher, Teresa Duggan, has observed Naricah prosper into “an ambitious, hard worker, with a bright future in the industry.”

“Naricah’s passion to improve lives is admirable. She is a good student and a young woman of strength and substance who is dedicated to her work, study and the wellbeing of her family and community.”

Naricah, who won the Aboriginal Trainee of the Year Award at the Moree Reconciliation Week Ball in 2018, described working with Flourish Australia as a dream come true, and was thankful of the opportunities that studying at TAFE NSW provided.

“The flexibility of studying online with TAFE NSW made this journey so much easier for me. I found the learning materials very helpful and easy to understand, and the face-to-face support from my teachers was second-to-none,” she said.

“I would definitely encourage others to pursue their study goals with TAFE NSW - it can lead to many exciting pathways and opportunities in any field you want to be involved in.

“The overall support and dedication to student’s needs are flexible and often integral to achieving your study goals, whether it be further study or work requirements - TAFE NSW can make it happen.”

TAFE NSW Deputy Regional General Manager Adam Bennett said with the Australian Government’s Jobs outlook website predicting more than 15,000 new health and welfare manager positions, and 23,000 new social worker positions across the country until 2023, there’s never been a better time to pursue a career in this life-changing industry at Australia’s leading training provider.

For information on a range of new semester two courses available at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.