TasTAFE Work Pathways learners celebrate at Campbell Street Campus
Published on: 11 Dec 2025
TasTAFE Work Pathways learners at their end-of-year celebration in the Campbell Street Campus library.
At Campbell Street Campus library recently, learners in the TasTAFE Work Pathways program came together with their teachers and families to celebrate the end of their 2025 training.
Running for more than 30 years, Work Pathways is an employability skills training program for young adults living with intellectual or cognitive disabilities. The program builds confidence, independence and self-determination – ensuring that TasTAFE learners with additional learning needs have fair and equal access to training and work opportunities.
As part of Work Pathways, TasTAFE’s Certificate I in Transition Education and Certificate I in Work Education courses help young learners transition from school, upskill and build pathways towards entering the workforce.
“Our Certificate I learners are all young, not long out of school, and they’re very motivated. They all want to work,” said Monica Hols, TasTAFE Vocational Preparation and Study Support Teacher.
“We teach through applied learning, it’s all very hands-on – learning the theory and then applying it – which is how our learners learn best. And it’s not tokenistic! We’re serious about getting them ready for work.”
Along with teaching a range of essential home, community and fit-for-work skills – including resumé writing, time management and communication skills – Monica and her teaching colleagues Shaelene Craddock, Mike Milimu, Jan Douglas and Stuart Graham help learners find work placements for 1 day per week.
Part of this process is the ‘Flip the Job Search’ initiative in Term 3, where employers and employment agencies come to TasTAFE to meet the learners, rather than the other way around – helping learners make connections with employers.
In Tasmania’s south this year, these employers included the Kingston Hotel, Hobart City Council, Wilson Homes, OneCare (Barossa Park Lodge), Hobart City Mission, the Hair Loft Studio, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Mathers House – all of whom have been very committed to providing work opportunities for our learners.
The celebration at Campbell Street Campus featured a presentation by each learner, sharing stories from their work placements, their favourite things about learning at TasTAFE, and what they hope to achieve in 2026 – followed by some good food and lots of cheery conversation.
Zayne Cooper, who has just finished his Certificate 1 in Transition Education, was the first learner to speak, enthusiastically presenting a slideshow of highlights from his year at TasTAFE.
“What I like best about TasTAFE is how we all gather together, and we work as a team,” Zayne said.
“My plan is to come back next year and do the Certificate I in Work Education and meet new people that I haven’t met before. I want to say thank you to our teachers – we really enjoy our teachers and the support staff, they’ve been fantastic.”
Congratulations to our 2025 Work Pathways learners on your joy-filled celebration and success – and to our Vocational Preparation and Study Support delivery team on another rewarding year, providing an inclusive learning environment where every person is respected, supported and encouraged to achieve their goals.
Certificate I in Transition Education and Certificate I in Work Education learners (including Zayne Cooper, top right) share some highlights from their year at TasTAFE.
