Chasing Dreams: Afford employees celebrate a big learning milestone
There was plenty of pride, laughter and a few well-earned cheers when 20 supported employees from Afford recently celebrated graduating from the Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways. The milestone marked the end of nine months of dedication, persistence and learning and the beginning of exciting new opportunities.
At Afford, we believe everyone deserves the chance to chase their dreams, and moments like this show what can happen when people are given the support, encouragement and opportunity to achieve them.
It’s part of who we are. Our strategy and values are built around creating opportunities for people with disability to grow, succeed and shape the futures they want. And recently, we had a wonderful opportunity to celebrate exactly that.
A graduation worth celebrating
A group of our assisted employees graduated from the Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways, delivered through BSI Learning.
This nationally recognised qualification helps participants build essential workplace skills – including reading, writing, numeracy and confidence – that support them in their current roles and open doors to new opportunities in the future.
But earning that certificate didn’t happen overnight.
Each student attended a three-hour class every week for nine months, balancing study alongside their work and home lives. Like any learning journey, there were moments when things felt challenging. Sometimes confidence wobbled. Sometimes the workload felt heavy.
But they kept going.
And that determination is exactly what made the celebration so special.
Happy graduation! Our class of gras looked impressive in their gowns and caps and loved receiving their certificates at a formal event.
More than just a certificate
At the graduation ceremony, Chair of the Afford Board Carol Bryant praised the group’s dedication and reminded everyone just how meaningful the achievement truly was.
“This is a big achievement,” she said.
“Working and studying at the same time takes commitment and effort. You should feel proud of yourselves. By completing this course, you have built stronger skills in reading, writing and numbers. You have grown your confidence. You have shown that you can set a goal and achieve it.”
She also reminded the graduates that the certificate represents much more than a qualification.
“This certificate is more than a piece of paper. It represents your hard work. It represents your effort. It represents what you are capable of.”
Michael McEvoy was on hand to celebrate at a graduation of ADE assisted employees and his joy was evident.
Pride all around
Also there on the night was Afford’s Operations Manager for Inclusive Employment, Michael McEvoy, who works closely with many of the graduates.
For him, watching the group cross the finish line after months of study was a proud moment.
“It was challenging for them and there were difficult times … especially when a student lost confidence and felt they couldn’t do something … but they all got there in the end,” he said.
“I am so proud of them because I know how much they gave to complete the course. And I know how proud they are themselves because they couldn’t wait to take the certificate from me,” he added with a grin.
“It might sound funny, but I know that means they’re proud and rightly so.”
Living our values every day
At Afford, moments like this remind us why we do what we do.
Supporting people with disability isn’t just about services. It’s about opportunity, growth and believing in what people can achieve. Whether someone wants to build new skills, grow in their current role or explore new career pathways, we’re committed to walking alongside them and helping make those goals possible.
Because when someone sets their sights on a dream and works hard to reach it, that’s something worth celebrating.
And for these 20 graduates, this milestone is only the beginning.
Congratulations to every single one of you – we couldn’t be more proud.
(Scroll down for pics taken on the night)
