If you are driven by caring for another, being a good listener, and being aware of your social environment, one of the best professions for you is community work.
In this career, you will work with community members and help them with problems surrounding basic rights and needs like – food, medical services, education, and more.
It is a promising career path with a lot of demand in terms of fresh additions to the workforce. Around 61% of people employed as community workers in Australia choose to do it full-time.
However, quite a lot goes behind becoming a recognized community worker. You need to get relevant certifications, training, and work experience to make a strong identity in this field.
So, dive right into this article to get your dream job!
- Get a formal qualification in community support
To join the workforce as a community worker, you need relevant qualifications recognized by the state. You need to complete an authorized course like a Diploma of Community Services. Your work experience in relevant fields will increase your credibility as a community worker.
However, if you have the right skills but never got formal training, don’t worry! You don’t need to invest much time in a course from scratch.
Instead, you can opt for RPL in Australia, a.k.a. Recognition in Prior Learning, which will help you be recognized for all the skills and knowledge that you have acquired.
It will assist you in undertaking the next step in your career to be identified as a community worker. Ensure you complete the course from a popular and reputable place where they review your skills for this test for FREE!
- Invest your time into work experiences
Theoretical knowledge is hardly ever sufficient for a service based on individual experiences at your workplace and practical hands-on services. This will also help you be recognized as a potential candidate while searching for a job.
You can contact vocational placement organizations to help you match the job type you seek. Or you can start by volunteering your services at community support centers and be recognized for your efforts and skills.
- Apply for a professional membership
Apply and receive a professional membership with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA). This will help you define your identity nationally as a recognized community worker.
However, for this, you must complete a two-year diploma or bachelor’s degree (recognized and approved by the ACWA) in the community service industry of Australia.
- Increase your bandwidth with relevant courses
Sometimes a simple 2-year degree might not be enough to land the recognition you hope for. This is where you can opt for relevant community support courses to hone your skills and knowledge further.
Depending on your applied course type, you will receive specialized training in the field in which you want to pursue your career.
These courses will include workshops and field experience opportunities to help you understand and explore individualistic support better.
- Make sure to choose your area of specialization
Once you are done with acquiring your relevant skills and knowledge in the field of social support, opt for a specialization of your choice.
These include the kind of individuals or part of the community that you want to work with. For example, you can choose a role like – youth support, disability support, social welfare support, or family support.
Your specialization will determine the kind of services expected from you and the amount of money you will receive for your services.
It also takes different skill sets to approach each of such specialized groups because the needs, problems, and drawbacks differ.
- Understand the need for your job role
Before you become a potent community worker, understand the needs for and vitality of your job role. With the increase in crime rates, drug abuse, and mental health issues, there is an increasing need for support workers to maintain the balance within society.
Understand this to get the required clarity and make the right choices in your career path accordingly.
Let’s Wrap It Up!
Community work can be a taxing job because every individual has different needs. However, helping people and contributing to a better community is surely rewarding. So, if you’re sure about being an Australian Community Worker, follow these steps and get closer to your goals!
