Ishaka Perera, first ever Sri Lankan Nurse to join Global Citizen Exchange Programme
“Things seemed impossible for me until I was selected to join the Global Citizen Exchange Programme -Overseas Nurses Carers Programme.
This is a programme only offered by Key 2 Care Health Solutions in Australia. As part of the programme I was required to study the CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support under Key 2 Learning, which is a subsidiary of Key 2 Care Health Solutions and I am now delighted that I’ll be leaving to Sydney, Australia very soon to complete my work placement as part of the course and also commence my one year paid work experience with my new employer, the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution (RFBI), one of Australia’s best aged care organisations.
I am further excited to receive travel exemption granted to me by the Australian authorities, for which I am ever grateful. I have fulfilled a decade of dream became a reality for me”, pointed out Ishaka Perera, a qualified nurse from Sri Lanka, and the first ever to join the programme and succeed during testing times.
Ishaka further mentioned, “The Global Citizen Exchange Programme – Overseas Nurses Carers Programme is ideally designed for nurses like me, and my desire to work in the aged care and health sector in Australia. I will also have the opportunity work and experience life in Australia, will enhance my work experience and leadership skills.
David Samuel, CEO, Business Advisory Group
Frank Price CEO of RFBI, Australia
The Australian credentials and experience will open new opportunities. I wish to thank Mr Alston and Ms Samaratunga, Co-founders of The Foreign Education Consultancy who introduced me to this programme and helped me throughout the process, the management of Key 2 Care Health Solutions, Key 2 Learning, Business Advisory Group, and Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution. I will mark my presence making this programme even more attractive to those who may join me going forward and professionalism I carry forward will make my country (Sri Lanka) proud. My patience, commitment and trust built during the tenure of the programme made a big difference and will continue to – Theruvan Saranai”.
The Global Citizen Exchange Programme (GCEP) – Overseas Nurses Carers Programme is an initiative of Key 2 Care Health Solutions with Key 2 Learning College, Australia in collaboration with Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution, Australia, sponsored by AIESEC and supported by Business Advisory Group for Sri Lanka. The programme is now open for 2021-22 for qualified Sri Lankan nurses.
Michael Bermejo, Director of Key 2 Care, parent company of Key 2 Learning pointed out, “We are waiting to welcome Ishaka from Sri Lanka, and our ability to contextualise training helped her immensely.
We have experience in continuous improvement, management, workforce solutions, and service provision across a range of sectors in aged care, health, mental health, disability and education. Our highly qualified and experienced management team and trainers and assessors worked closely with our candidates. In this instance, I am delighted welcome the first ever Sri Lankan nurse Ishaka to be part of the Global Citizen Exchange Programme – Overseas Nurses Carers Programme to further enhance her skills, knowledge and importantly experience the Australian way of life by integrating with Australian and multicultural community in Australia”.
Michael Bermejo, Director of Key 2 Care Health Solutions, Australia
Nilesh Alston, Director CEO of The Bridge Foreign Education pointed out, “We are delighted that we supported Ishaka throughout the process.
Devni Rajaratne, Founder of AnEducator & Director, Business Advisory Group
It is a great initiative to introduce and extend the Global Citizen Exchange Programme – Overseas Nurses Carers Programme to nurses in Sri Lanka. It is a fantastic opportunity, and great achievement by Ishaka. By working with our partners in the programme to promote in Sri Lanka, we saw a huge interest amongst the group, but perception about continuous border closure in Australia had an impact, but with the grant of visa and travel exemption to Ishaka, we could see how much Australia consider critical areas where health workers are in need.
There’s a positive outlook for next intake to begin soon. We have a happy client, and have the privilege of placing the first ever nurse from Sri Lanka to this programme, and extend my gratitude to the collaborators”.
“We are extremely happy for Ishaka. We introduced the Global Citizen Exchange Programme – Overseas Nurses Carer Programme to her having recognised she was very talented, a quick learner, loyal and showed positive attitude. As a first step, she completed the Cert III in Individual Support and patiently waited till her visa process was completed.
We also had a great working relationship with the programme collaborators in Australia and Sri Lanka. We are delighted that we are part of this achievement supporting the first event Sri Lankan nurse to succeed in the programme and hope she will add more colours to the programme”, mentioned Harshini Samaratunga, Co-Founder and Managing Directress of The Bridge Foreign Education.
Nilesh Alston - Founer, Director & CEO of The Bridge Foreign Education
Harshini Samaratunga - Co-Founder & Managing Directress of The Bridge Foreign Education
WHAT IS OVERSEAS NURSES CARERS PROGRAMME?
An opportunity for bachelor or diploma qualified nurses, who wish to study, work and experience life in Australia as personal carers. The programme enhances work experience and leadership skills in Australia and, candidates can use their Australian credentials and experience to open doors to international employment opportunities. Special sponsored visa for 12 months duration with unrestricted employment.
Nurse applicants must be 18-30 years of age, will study for a Certificate III in Individual Support (3-months intensive online in Sri Lanka with mandatory 120-hours work placement in Australia). Candidates must have an IELTS of no band less than 5.5 in the academic stream. Upon completion of the course and mandatory placement, candidates will be offered the opportunity to gain paid work experience as personal carers in aged care facilities located in regional NSW, although other locations in Australia might be considered. Driving licence is highly desirable and Covid-19 vaccination is mandatory (vaccines approved by the Australian authorities).
Key 2 Care is partnering with AIESEC (the sponsor): AIESEC Australia Global Youth Exchange Program (Volunteer Programme) is a special cultural exchange programme managed by AIESEC Australia and approved by the Australian Government. The Global Citizen Exchange Program – Overseas Nurses Carers Program is an extension of the AIESEC Global Youth Exchange Programme (Volunteer Programme) and specially designed for nurses that want to work in the aged care and health sectors.
AIESEC Australia has an agreement with Australian immigration for the reciprocal promotion of Youth activities for international youths and Australian youth.
Ishaka Perera, GCEP Candidate
The Global Citizen Exchange Programme – Overseas Nurses Carers Programme provides skill sets and support services that are in addition to the Global Youth Exchange Programme. These additional skills and support services are essential to the success of the program and comprise as follows:
CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support – is an entry level qualification to work in aged care in Australia. Course will be delivered online by Key 2 Learning College for the theoretical component of the course and the 120 work placement of the course is conducted in Australia at leading Australian aged care organisations.
Accommodation and meals are included as part of the work placement. Candidates will also get support with the visa processing and lodgement which will be organised by a migration law firm in Australia. Candidates will also receive assistance in securing paid work experience with Australian leading aged care organisations including, and for a limited time only, 6 months free accommodation. The Global Citizen Exchange Programme – Overseas Nurses Carers Programme is an exclusive programme offered only by Key 2 Care Health Solutions, Australia.
ELIGIBILITY
Nurses must undertake the designated courses and study requirements (CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support). They must be willing to work in regional NSW and/or rural areas of Australia to enhance their employment prospects, and they must comply with all visa requirements. Nurses must cooperate with AIESEC and Key 2 Care Health Solutions personnel at all times and must sign and adhere to all the requirements of the Global Citizen Exchange Programme Candidate Agreement.
WHY AQF CHC33015 CERTIFICATE III – INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL?
An Australian qualification is generally internationally recognised; as well the Australian health care system is considered one of the best in the world. Accordingly, the Certificate III in Individual Support is considered as entry level qualification in Australia to work as personal carer or nursing aid.
A pathway qualification to other courses with Key 2 Learning College or any university subject to candidate demonstrating his/her genuinely as a student.
Course will be provided in an advanced format only for nurses and fully undertaken over 3-months virtually for theoretical component of the course 3 days a week.
Thereafter, upon arrival in Australia, candidates shall undertake 1-week practical skills and 120 hours work placement (unpaid) at leading Australian aged care facility. The full course outline including units of study will be provided to candidates prior to commencement of programme.
WORK OPPORTUNITIES
Nurses are entitled to work full time under the provision of the visa (38 hours a week). Key 2 Care Health Solutions will prepare a dossier of each nurse upon commencement of the program and promote the dossier across network of aged care providers and meet and discuss work opportunities with nurses upon arrival in Australia and prior or during commencement of work placement activities.
Key 2 Care Health Solutions will assist nurses to facilitate interviews with aged care providers and other necessary assistance as part of the programme and provide ongoing support for nurses during the 12-months program. Nurses can earn approximately AUD 26.50 per hour and work full time (38 hours per week). The hourly rate can increase significantly with overtime and shift loadings.
TEMPORARY ACTIVITY VISA 408 – SPECIAL PROGRAMME
The Temporary Activity Visa (408) – Special Programme – AIESEC Global Youth Programme (Volunteer Programme)’ is a visa that allows nurses to stay in Australia to take part in an approved special program. Special programmes can include youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community programmes, school language assistants or “gap year school volunteering”.
The AIESEC Global Youth Programme (Volunteer Program) qualifies as an approved special program. The conditions of the 408 visa are outlined in the Australia immigration website: www.immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-activity-408 Some of the more relevant conditions are: Nurses must be 18-30 years of age, the stay is limited to 12 months and Nurses can work full time during the stay. Nurses must be supported or sponsored and must have an invitation to participate in a special programme.
Nurses must abide by all the conditions of the visa including participating in AIESEC cultural workshops and related training activities. Nurses must meet the Genuine Temporary Entrance and financial requirements to live in Australia as part of the visa application process.
KEY BENEFITS
Gain an internationally recognised qualification in aged care, one of the most in demand occupations worldwide. Learn high in demand skills and improve your English communication skills.
Experience Australia and open a gateway to new opportunities in Australia and worldwide. Earn and learn during your stay in Australia. Further your international and education career. Experience a new culture, make new friends and visit exciting new places. Apply to become an Australian registered nurse if you meet the underlying criteria. Be fully supported in all these activities by Key 2 Care Health Solutions.
BUSINESS ADVISORY GROUP / An Educator in Sri Lanka have been appointed as Key 2 Care’s and Key 2 Learning’s exclusive partner in Sri Lanka and the programme has been promoted through approved partners.
For more details, please contact:
David Samuel, Director/CEO,
Business Advisory Group. Email:
David.Samuel@bizzadvisorygroup.com.au;
Web: www.aneducator.com
0772167700