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Aged care traineeship helps Lauren build a meaningful career

Aged care traineeship helps Lauren build a meaningful career

When Lauren finished her HSC at St Columba Anglican School in 2020, she didn’t know what she wanted to do next. “I knew I wanted something I cared about and something that felt worthwhile,” she says. “So I took a gap year to figure it out.” She spent that year working casual jobs and starting a pet-sitting business, which led to a short stint in Sydney caring for animals.

Losing her dad to cancer at 13 had already shaped how she saw the world. “It makes you grow up,” she says. “You realise life can be hard, and people need support.” That experience, along with her love of animals, sparked an interest in a caring profession. “I thought helping older people would be a really meaningful thing to do,” she says. “But without experience, it was hard to get started.”

A friend suggested a traineeship with St Agnes’ Catholic Parish. After meeting the team at St Agnes’ Site residential aged care and John Henry Institute, Lauren decided to take the leap. “Natasha was really honest about what the work is like. She said it’s challenging but rewarding, and that stuck with me. She made me feel like I could do it.”

Within weeks, Lauren began her traineeship at with St Agnes’, combining hands-on experience with formal study. “I felt supported from the start,” she says. “I was paired with experienced staff who showed me how things work. My team leader made me feel capable and confident.” She completed her Certificate III in Individual Support in August 2025 through John Henry Institute. “The flexibility really helped. I could study at my own pace and fit it around work and life.”

Now working a balanced roster, Lauren has found a routine that suits her. “It’s working well. I can still make time for other things I enjoy,” she says. For Lauren, the traineeship has opened the door to a career she finds both practical and meaningful. Her advice is simple: “Have a go. You might surprise yourself.”


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Aged care traineeship helps Lauren build a meaningful career