Two men recently participated in a training program focused on caregiving, defying the stereotype that caregiving roles are predominantly for women. Sanjay Narain Sharma, 47, and Alivereti Tagivetaua, 33, were part of the 41 graduates of the National Employment Centre initiative, receiving their Certificate III in Individual Support (Aging) during a ceremony at Calvary Temple.
The program, funded by the Australian Aged Care Expansion (ACE) initiative, is integrated into the Pacific Australia Labour and Mobility (PALM) scheme. The training was provided by Alphacrucis University College, an Australian institution recognized by the Fijian Higher Education Commission.
Sharma shared that his journey into caregiving began with caring for his mother, who passed away in 2022. He expressed the profound fulfillment he finds in taking care of others, stating, “I gained the experience from taking care of my other family members who are old, I found passion when I took care of my own mother.”
Tagivetaua highlighted the challenges he faced, particularly in completing the practical aspects of the training. He reflected on the love he wished he could have shown to his grandparents, who passed away when he was young. “This will be a good chance for me to show people the love I couldn’t give my grandparents,” he remarked.
Gaayetri Prasad, manager of Foreign Employment Services at the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, acknowledged the trainees’ efforts and emphasized their role as representatives of Fiji in Australia. She urged them to conduct themselves with pride, as they pave the way for future participants in the program.
The graduates are expected to complete their training and head to Australia by next June.
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