Meet Zahraa, Assistant Care Employee at Warrigal.

Recently, we interviewed Zahraa, one of our Assistant Care Employees at Warrigal Multicultural Village, to discover more about her career pathway as a student carer. Keep reading to learn more about the ACE Support Program, Zahraa’s experience at Warrigal, and the positive impact that care employees have on the lives of our older people.

From ACE to Carer: Building a Career in Aged Care

Starting a career in aged care can begin with taking that first step. For Zahraa, that step was joining the ACE Support program at Warrigal Multicultural Village, while studying a Certificate III in Individual Support.

As one of the first ACEs at Warrigal Multicultural Village, Zahraa had the opportunity to be part of something new while gaining valuable, hands-on experience in aged care.

“I wanted to get some real experience in aged care while I was studying. I thought the ACE program would be a good way to learn from experienced staff, build my confidence and get a better understanding of what working in aged care was like.”

The ACE role provided an opportunity to put learning into practice while developing important workplace skills. Through working alongside experienced team members, Zahraa developed her communication, teamwork and time-management skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of how to support residents with individual needs.

One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was getting to know residents and building relationships with them.

“I remember sitting with a resident and listening to them talk about their life and family. It made me realise how much residents appreciate having someone take the time to listen. It showed me that even a small amount of time and attention can make a big difference.”

As Zahraa’s confidence and experience grew, she began to see an opportunity to take the next step in her career.

“I was already studying Individual Support and wanted to put more of what I was learning into practice and take on more responsibility.”

Moving from ACE into a Carer role was an exciting step. Having already spent time at Warrigal, Zahraa knew the residents, the team and the environment, which helped make the transition much easier.

“The ACE program gave me experience, confidence and a pathway into aged care. It allowed me to gain practical experience while studying and helped me realise that aged care was something I wanted to continue pursuing.”

Looking ahead, Zahraa hopes to continue studying, building her experience and eventually working towards a career in nursing.

For anyone considering joining Warrigal as an ACE, Zahraa’s advice is simple:

“Make the most of the opportunity and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Take the time to learn from the people around you and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The ACE program is a great way to build your confidence, gain experience and see where you could go next.”

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the ACE Support Program at Warrigal, keep an eye on our Careers webpage! Any future positions will be advertised here.