Joining or rejoining the workforce after having kids can feel quite daunting, especially if you’re eager to take on a high-end management or leadership role. If this is the case, don’t worry — there are several government-funded subsidies that can help alleviate some of the financial and time-related burdens you may feel.
You may have a clear idea of which field or industry you’d like to join, or maybe you’re open to new possibilities. Whether you have a wealth of experience or are starting afresh — there are many ways to upskill. From nanny jobs and marketing to management roles, the world is your oyster. Before diving into the workforce, however, it’s wise to ensure you’re equipped with the correct skillset. If you’re looking into leadership roles, enrolling in a leadership development program may be your first and possibly best step.
Let’s start by taking a look at the childcare subsidy options available to you:
Looking to find your career path while taking care of your little ones? Raising kids can feel like a job on its own, but there are several government-funded perks that can help ease the load if you want to dive back into the workforce. A government childcare subsidy, for example, may help those with children seek out career opportunities while ensuring the best care for their children.
The Australian government strives to assist families in the most essential ways possible. This includes childcare subsidies that partially cover the costs of childcare. This type of assistance is only granted for providers approved by the government and will depend upon your individual family circumstances, including income and the age of the child. One of the biggest benefits is that the subsidy is generally paid directly to the provider, removing your need to pay out of pocket.
Approved childcare providers include:
- Family day care
- In-home care
- Outside school hours care
- Centre-based day care
Subsidies are calculated based on the following:
- Family income
- Hourly rate
- Child’s age
- Number of children
- Hours per week each parent spends on activities, including paid work, seeking work, leadership training, and volunteering
According to the Australian Government Child Care Services, you may be eligible if you or your partner meet the following criteria:
- Meet residence rules
- Your child is 13 years old or under and not attending secondary school
- Your child is immunised
Let’s look at the benefits of leadership programs and how they can steer you towards your dream career.
Whether you’re a whiz with words or a human calculator, there are endless job opportunities open to you. Enrolling in a leadership development program is a stellar way to brush up on your skills before entering the workforce. It’s also an excellent opportunity to discover which career path is the right one for you. Whether you have previous formal training, have worked your way up through companies and roles, or are starting completely afresh — leadership programs offer you invaluable skills that you can implement in and outside of the workplace.
Many Australian leadership programs focus on shaping inquisitive individuals open and willing to make a positive impact on the world. From exercising leadership in specific situations to problem-solving activities, the top leadership programs offer contemporary thinking and expert research to guide you. They strive to stay up to date with the latest methodologies and trends, passing that information and training on to their students.
Benefits and outcomes of enrolling may include:
- Thoughtful decision-making skills
- Finding new, innovative ways to develop and manage others
- Self-reflection and improvement
- Increased diversity within the workforce
- Tackling broader societal issues
- Develop emotional intelligence
- Formulate effective leadership strategies
- Increase team’s productivity
- Explore ways to decrease employee turnover
- Develop healthy communication skills
- Gain and grow confidence
- Learn how to communicate effectively with others
Achieving and maintaining top leadership skills is an essential step towards leading, managing, and guiding teams. An effective leader doesn’t only facilitate success, but they inspire and motivate their teams and peers to put in 110%.
An open, nurturing leader contributes greatly to a healthy workplace. Delegating tasks, building trust, efficiently handling difficult circumstances or turmoil are all vital skills for someone looking to take on a leadership or managerial position. If you love taking on responsibility, guiding others, setting goals, delivering on targets, and providing development feedback to others — then a leadership role sounds perfect for you!
Due to the ever-changing nature of society, many leadership training courses can be completed either in person or virtually. You can expect guest speaker sessions, one-on-one training, group break-out rooms, and more, depending on your chosen course. Everyone learns and absorbs knowledge differently, so choosing a course better suited to your unique learning style is important.
When selecting the right course, you may wish to consider the following factors:
- Standard and customised programs
- Proven track record of success
- Personalised attention
- Assessment feedback
- Rigorous research
- Psychological safety
- Peer learning
- Ongoing support
- Measures of effectiveness and impact
You may be interested in one specific industry, a niche or are open to new opportunities. Regardless of your skillset, experience, and background, taking part in a leadership program will arm you with indispensable skills that are useful across all industries.
Here are some of the top leadership career paths to consider:
- Project Coordinator
- Human Resource Manager
- Management Analyst
- Sales Manager
- Training and Development Manager
- Chief Executive
- Chief of Staff
- Project Manager
- Operations Manager
- Sales Manager
Finding your career path is an exciting yet often a stressful experience, especially when there is the care of your kids to consider. Thankfully, there are several government initiatives and subsidies available to take some of that pressure and uncertainty away. Rather than paying for childcare out of pocket, you can rest easy knowing it’s partially taken care of. This also allows you the peace of mind of knowing your kids are being well looked after if you’re required to spend extra hours away from home — focussing on your future career.
If you’re eager to get back into the workforce, it’s wise to equip yourself with the correct skill set for your desired field. If a management role is what you’re after, it’s highly recommended to enrol in a leadership training course or program. These programs will provide invaluable knowledge and tools to pave your way into your dream career.