From volunteer housekeeper/laundry to qualified healthcare worker, Fernanda (Nanda) Alvares E Silva proves that dedication and upskilling can open doors to new opportunities.
‘Thank you,’ ‘how are you’ and ‘I love you’ was the extent of Fernanda Alvares E Silva’s English when she arrived in New Zealand 10 years ago from Brazil.
Today, Nanda proudly celebrates graduating with her Level 4 Advanced Care and Support Apprenticeship. Supported by her employer, Rangiora’s Bainswood on Victoria, and work-based training provider Careerforce, the health care assistant has not only advanced in her career but also mastered fluency in English.
Ten years ago, Nanda followed her partner to Rangiora, and set out to find a job the only way she knew, by knocking on doors. With no English, the challenge was immense. It was Bainswood on Victoria, that finally gave her a chance by offering her a volunteer role that she asked for.
Fernanda (Nanda) Alvares E Silva (third from left) with other Bainswood staff celebrate their graduation. From L to R: Joyce, Ruthie, Nanda, and Sarah
Bainswood on Victoria, part of Rangiora Lifecare is a retirement/nursing home with facilities for independent residents and those requiring hospital or dementia level care.
“I really wanted to learn English and be with people,” says Nanda. “My clinical manager gave me two weeks to improve my English and said then we’ll talk again.
“I was put to work as a housekeeper learning the laundry and cleaner roles. For two weeks I was just learning, by talking to the staff and the residents. They helped me by counting one, two, three.. then the days of the week. They asked me about my life, and I tried to talk to them. I used a small notebook to write all the words from the day and translate later at my house with my partner. Also, a laundry staff member helped me to understand what everyone was saying by trying to repeat and explain everything very slowly for me. After two weeks I was asked to sign a paper, ‘This is your contract – we’re going to give you a job.’ So, I got my first part-time casual cleaner role. For me it was amazing – my first contract. I cried.”
After a month, Nanda secured a permanent housekeeper role and began a Level 2 cleaning qualification with Careerforce. She completed the programme on paper, translating materials between Portuguese and English, while attending all classes run by her employer.
Her Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning was followed by a Level 2 Certificate in Health and Wellbeing, shortly followed by a Level 3 Certificate in Health Assistance.
Nanda had been a university educator in Brazil, training teachers prior to coming to New Zealand. “I knew who I was in Brazil, but I wasn’t sure who I was in New Zealand. People told me, ‘you are just a caregiver.’ I thought, I’m not just a caregiver. I wanted to challenge myself and prove that I am a valuable person with a life of experience and my background is extremely important as well.”
Nanda took every opportunity to improve her English, initially attending a language school for people with English as their second language once a week, and later having a tutor visit her for one hour a week.
Managers at Bainswood knew Nanda loved a challenge and wanted to learn, and offered her the opportunity to complete the Level 4 Apprenticeship in Advanced Care and Support.
The Apprenticeship is a 20-month work-based learning programme designed to give staff the skills required to provide person-centred care and support to people with complex needs. Each apprentice is allocated a Careerforce Advisor who acts as ‘coach’ providing one-on-one support according to their needs. Nanda was assigned to Christchurch-based Careerforce Advisor Vicki Mead.
“The level 4 goes a little bit deeper – It makes you more confident in your role and in your ability to do your job. I understand so much more about what’s going on around me. It’s given me confidence to be a better caregiver,” says Nanda.
“It helps you think about the many different ways you can respond to the residents, the way you talk to your colleagues. There are so many ways the course helped me. Each paper helped to build my confidence.”
In her current role, Nanda works as a Med Com, being responsible for assisting residents with taking their prescribed medications. She also sometimes helps with the diversional therapy activities which she loves.
Nanda says she found the Careerforce learning materials valuable, as were the monthly workshops run by her Careerforce Apprenticeship Advisor, Vicki.
Nanda adds, “My growth and advancement in my journey was only possible with the help of my family in New Zealand and all the staff at Bainswood on Victoria, Housekeepers, Kitchen staff, Carers, DTs, ENs, RNs, Clinical Manager, House Manager and the entire Careerforce team who supported me in different ways.”
With the Level 4 Advanced Care and Support apprenticeship all complete, Nanda is keen to keep learning, and says she would like to be an enrolled nurse one day.
For more information about Careerforce apprenticeships, visit www.careerforce.org.nz. Workplaces may also qualify for Apprenticeship Boost funding and receive $500/month for the first 12 months of each apprenticeship.
Susan Tattersall