Search Results for: lisa simpson

Transurban Scholarships: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

This month we’re fortunate to have ICAN Learn Trainer, Lisa Simpson, yarn with us about her latest career move, and the transformative impact of the ICAN Learn/Transurban First Nations Scholarships.

Congratulations on your new part time role with ICAN Learn Lisa! What motivated you to transition from casual trainer to a part-time Trainer and Assessor?

I’ve worked for ICAN Learn as a casual trainer since 2020 and absolutely love training the skillset CHCSS00077 Financial Literacy Education. It’s been great to see how ICAN Learn has really grown and expanded over the last few years, and I truly believe that we stand out since all our trainers are actually experienced Financial Counsellors and understand the environment that the students will be moving into. We’ve sat there with our worried clients, helped them along the way to a better understanding of their position, and changed their worries to hope. Really, it’s an honour, and a humbling experience to be allowed into someone’s world and watch them shift from anxiety to optimism.

When I did that TAE course back in 2015, I never thought I would use it or need it, and didn’t see ‘adult education’ as my thing. Which on reflection is funny since I loved community education with all ages, from young people to seniors. Life takes interesting turns, and this is also one of those ‘seasons of life’ decisions, which allows me greater flexibility in working remotely and being able to see my family much more. (I’m going to be a Nonna again !!)

You have an impressive background in both Financial Counselling and Financial Capability, will you be teaching a variety of courses?

That’s very kind of you to say and – yes – I’ll be teaching a variety of courses but (just between us 😊 ) the CHCSS00077 Financial Literacy Education course is a favourite! Especially since this course is so relevant to many other workplaces, and not just for people who are working in the Financial Counselling/Capability sector.

It’s exciting to be part of raising up the next generation of financial counsellors and financial capability workers. It’s very satisfying when you attend a conference or networking event and meet some of the students who are now ‘out there’ doing the work. I wonder how many students I’ve already taught over the last 4 years!!??

I have such a huge respect for those working as financial counsellors since I know the pressures and complexities that come with that role. For many years I felt like I was the ‘ambulance at the bottom of the cliff’ and really wanted to be building safety rails at the top of the cliff to stop people from falling over.

Why is financial literacy education so important for people to develop in their personal or professional lives?

I think that being in a strong and secure financial position truly impacts every area of our lives, emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. We ‘don’t know what we don’t know’ and so many people are making decisions without understanding the consequences of those decisions and the impacts it can have on their future, and even their children’s future. How many of us look back and wish we had done things differently. Well, in Financial Literacy, we can definitely help people avoid mistakes, and make better informed decisions. In every single student group I’ve taught, there’s always been that student that maybe is doing the course for work reasons, or career progression, but then admits how much it has helped them personally, and challenged them to review their own finances.

ICAN Learn and Transurban are currently offering Financial Literacy Education Skillset CHCSS00077 Scholarships for First Nations peoples. What impact do you think this course could have on the lives of successful applicants?

Absolutely positive impact. As you know, I like the principle of making a one degree of difference in somebody’s life. Any changes in thinking, behaviour and practice that lead people to be wiser, more aware, and more in control of their own finances can only be a good thing. And it impacts the next generation. Our children learn from what they see and hear us doing, and if we are modelling a secure and productive financial position, they will follow in those footsteps. This course can be completed live online from just about anywhere in Australia, so if someone has an opportunity to apply for a scholarship, I would say ‘Just Do It’.

What can people expect when from the online classes?

Students can expect to learn a lot. They will be challenged to see things from other people’s perspectives, and also challenged to look at their own behaviour and how they can improve their (financial) position. They will meet other fabulous fellow students, who become fellow colleagues, and people that they can refer to or network with, in the future. They can expect to share their own learning and experiences and contribute to discussions on a varied and wide range of issues. They can also often teach us, the trainers, something new, or provide information that we may not have been aware of.

Many students are often nervous about being back in school or university, especially if it’s been a little while since they’ve completed any formal education. It’s ok to be slightly nervous at the beginning, but what I can say without any doubt is that ICAN Lean will help and support you every step of the way.

What sort of career possibilities can the Transurban scholarships unlock for First Nations peoples interested in a career in financial wellbeing?

Honestly, I think the skillset CHCSS00077 Financia Literacy Education can help people from so many career different pathways, including financial capability workers. I’ve recently spoken to people from diverse fields, from aged care and disability support to social work, financial planning, and even funeral services. The common thread is financial literacy knowledge is needed across every sector and industry. So many people are working with vulnerable clients, and vulnerable clients often have financial vulnerabilities they need help with. People don’t need to know everything, but being able to provide the right information and referral path can make a huge difference in their practice. Of course, I also wish that every financial counselling service had a financial capability worker sitting alongside that can continue to coach people to making better decisions to improve their financial positions. That’s the dream!

Find out more about the Transurban Scholarships here

Need help with your personal or corporate training needs? Contact ICAN Learn at:

E: administration@icanlearn.edu.au

T: 03 5471 7777

One Degree of Difference

This month we yarn with ICAN Learn teacher, Lisa Simpson, about the importance of Financial Literacy Education and the difference it makes to people’s lives.

Hi Lisa, thanks for yarnin’ with us today!

Can you tell us how you got into financial counselling?

I worked at a bank in 2010, but I was looking for a change. I saw a job advertised for a financial counsellor, but I had no idea what it was! I put my application in and got the job which started a new chapter for me. It was a new experience being part of the community sector and surrounded by so many people who were happy to share knowledge and information. People would say to me, ‘Hey, if you don’t know something, give us a call. We can help you,’ it was a different world.

How long have you been a teacher at ICAN Learn?

I started teaching Financial Literacy Education with ICAN Learn in 2020, right when COVID hit, so all classes were online. Teaching via zoom gave me the capacity to be at home and still teach students from all around Australia, which has been fabulous.

Have you always been involved in teaching financial literacy?

My passion for financial literacy education sparked during my time Financial Counselling role in Bendigo when I was involved in a money education program. It was incredible seeing the difference some simple knowledge could make in people’s lives. After moving on from the bank, I developed and implemented my own financial literacy program for high schools and later delivered community education for Anglicare under the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, which I loved. I then decided to challenge myself to complete the Cert IV in Training and Assessment so I could also teach accredited courses. I still love teaching unaccredited and community education courses just as much.

You’re also a practising Financial Counsellor. Do you specialise in any area?

I don’t specialise, but I’m very passionate about superannuation and superannuation insurances because so few people ever pay attention to them. I’ve seen what making the proper referral to a superannuation insurance specialist can do for people. It can be life-changing.

Can you give us an example?

I had a client with a serious illness who came to me for a second opinion as he only had $1000 in his super fund and had been advised to withdraw the money and close his super account. By the time I saw him, he was not only seriously ill but struggling to hold onto his mortgage and at risk of losing the family home. He had also been on a Disability Support Pension for several years due to a work injury. He wasn’t aware of the insurances attached to his super, so I referred him to a superannuation specialist who successfully claimed a payout of around $500,000, which changed that family’s world.

So it’s vital that organisations train their staff in financial literacy if they’re dealing with vulnerable clients?

Definitely. As a financial counsellor, I can’t give financial advice, but I know what options I can present to someone or where I can refer them. When you work with vulnerable people, you will end up talking about money issues, so workers need to ensure they’re giving people the correct information. It’s just as important not to inadvertently give people false hope either, like telling them they can get their rent or mortgage paid, as that can be just as devastating if that turns out to be wrong. Learning the referral pathways is essential for financial capability workers if they are going to help people get the best outcome possible.

I’ve seen firsthand the impact of someone given the wrong advice, like another client I had who was unfortunately advised to roll his super into a new super account without insurance. He died three weeks later, and his wife got nothing. Three weeks before, he had $400,000 in insurances in his super fund.

How does financial literacy change people’s lives?

You only need to make one degree of difference to put someone on a different financial path. Teaching a person even one skill, like paying yourself first rather than spending everything you earn, can change everything. It makes an enormous difference to someone when they realise they can give themselves permission to put $5 or $10 a week into savings, rather spending every cent. Learning to do a budget, paying bills on time, and seeing any money left over as theirs to spend empowers people. It gives them freedom and breaks the cycle of intergenerational poverty. We can do that for people through Financial Literacy Education.

What sort of feedback have you had from past students?

I’ve had feedback from people who have told me the difference that Financial Literacy Education makes to them when they return to their workplace. Not only can they support their clients better, but it also changes their own financial position. People also have better conversations with their clients, like explaining the difference between a want and a need, and the importance of goal setting. It makes a big difference in helping someone to accept their situation and brings them along on the journey.

The sector needs more financial literacy workers. Why is it a great career choice?

We work in community services to help people and make a difference. People come in burdened, carrying that weight of debt – some with no hope, or suicidal. You are the person that gets to have a conversation that can make all the difference, relieve their anxiety, and give them hope for tomorrow. That’s what we do as financial counsellors and financial capability workers. We walk that journey with people until they are on their feet and can walk it themselves. It’s the most rewarding sector I’ve ever worked in.

You can find out about all ICAN Learn courses by joining our monthly live online zoom course information session, or register here for our next session at 11am, 7 July 2022

Professional supervision services

ICAN Learn is committed to supporting the financial counselling sector by providing accessible and affordable professional supervision and related education for

Individual financial counsellors
Groups of financial counsellors
Financial counsellor professional supervisors

Professional supervision in groups [PSG]

Professional supervision in groups provides an opportunity for high level professional supervision discussion in a group setting. It facilitates conversations between financial counsellors, explores various elements of professional supervision and facilitates professional development and a way to meet membership obligations.

Who are our professional supervisors?

ICAN Learn has teachers who are financial counsellors and meet the requirements of the financial counselling sector to provide professional supervision. All have expertise in various areas and love sharing their knowledge and support with other financial counsellors.

Donna Letchford – Located in Victoria – expertise in family violence complex case work

Michelle Ludwig – Located in Victoria and teaching nationally

Tracey Grinter – Located in Victoria; expertise in disaster, problem gambling, complex casework

Lisa Simpson – Located in Queensland, formerly Victoria;

Jill McKinlay – Located in Queensland; expertise in counselling, problem gambling and complex casework

Sharon Trebse – Located in Victoria; expertise in elder abuse, complex casework

Tukie Belanzategui– located in Queensland; expertise in working in prisons, mental health, complex casework

Is there a fee for these services?

There is a fee for services but there is no ongoing commitment, just register and attend for each session as you wish.

Individual professional supervision $100 per session
Specific agency group requests by arrangement

What are the benefits?

Our services give you

An opportunity to develop expertise and build professional skills
An opportunity to link with other professional supervisors across Australia
Individual support for curly challenges

How big are the groups and how will it be structured?

Group numbers are capped at 8 as per National Professional Supervision Policy.

Refresher only session is capped at 10.

Sessions are structured as per policy and focus on wellbeing, casework and other related matters that assist the wellbeing of financial counsellors. You can contribute to the agenda!

What will the focus of the education sessions be?

Education sessions will be focused on relevant topics such as managing secondary and vicarious trauma; supporting someone when there are agency challenges; maintaining empathy in the professional supervision relationship; the impacts of parallel processes; exploring lenses of supervision etc. Consideration is given to topic requests.

Want to find out more or register your interest for our next session?

email professionalsupervision@icanlearn.edu.au