EmpowHER Program: A Single Mum’s Inspiring Journey to Confidence and Success

Taya is a single mum who completed the EmpowHER program with MRAEL Shaping Futures (formerly CTC), a Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, back in 2024.  As part of the course, Taya did a Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure, as well as her Working at Heights, Gas Testing and Confined Spaces tickets, and is currently working towards completing her Forklift ticket.

“Before MRAEL Shaping Futures and meeting the staff there, I was just floating through life, looking for a purpose. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. When I did the EmpowHER program with MRAEL Shaping Futures, I found that heaps of options opened up for me! As a single mum, and with my life being chaotic half the time, the staff at MRAEL Shaping Futures helped offer peace and resolution. They made it a really safe, fun environment to study and train in.

I first heard about MRAEL Shaping Futures (formerly CTC) when I was volunteering with Yellow Paint Incorporated and the Armstrong Street Community Garden. MRAEL Shaping Futures was working with Yellow Paint at that time. I got to see firsthand what CTC Shaping Futures wanted to achieve and how they wanted to really help people in the community, and I wanted to be a part of that.

My journey has been filled with learning experiences, but I have really enjoyed working alongside MRAEL Shaping Futures. For any other mums who might be thinking about taking the first steps towards a new career or training, I say do it! You have nothing to lose and HEAPS to gain!”