Caring for family members – whether young children or elderly parents – can be both exhausting and deeply rewarding. For some, this personal experience sparks a passion that turns into a professional calling to care for others.

To turn this vocation into a career, it is crucial to acquire the appropriate skills and knowledge. Three women, inspired by their own journeys as caregivers, explain how the courses taught at NTUC Learning Center equipped them with the tools to make mid-career transitions into healthcare.

NTUC LearningHub, a continuing education provider, offers programs co-developed with industry leaders and content partners. Its courses cover a wide range of sectors in the green, digital and care economies – key growth areas identified by the Singapore government.

TURNING MOURNING INTO A GOAL

Ms Noorunnisa Abdullah Sahib Maricar, 47, was left heartbroken after losing her sister-in-law to cancer. But when other members of her family also fell ill, her grief turned into a quest to understand health and recovery.

“I wanted to know how medications, physiotherapy or even holistic approaches could help with the recovery process,” she said. “I felt like I needed to know more and be able to make a difference.” »

After witnessing the many challenges faced by older people in poor health, such as mobility difficulties, Ms Noorunnisa wanted to devote her energy to healthcare as part of her own healing journey. “It’s not only therapeutic for the mind, but it’s also a great feeling to help someone through a difficult time.”

With training in customer service, Ms. Noorunnisa decided to enroll in the SkillsFuture Career Transition Program (SCTP) Therapeutic Assistant Course on NTUC LearningHub.

Before enrolling at NTUC LearningHub, Ms Noorunnisa had always thought of healthcare workers as mainly doctors and nurses. But through practice sessions and role-playing, she gained a better understanding of the critical role fields like physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy play in patients’ recovery.

After finishing her studies, she landed a job as a customer service advisor in a company specializing in rehabilitation aids. She later became a hospital therapy assistant, where she saw the growing need for high-quality physical therapy and care. Seeking to make a bigger impact, Ms. Noorunnisa then launched her own telephysiotherapy business, providing therapy to patients of all ages, with a particular focus on couples.

“Couples are often more stressed because both have to juggle work and raising children,” she explained. “I started Couple Sparkle with the idea of ​​helping couples through physiotherapy and supporting their mental wellbeing.”

Drawing on her knowledge of physiotherapy and soft skills like empathy and change management that she honed during her course, Ms Noorunnisa encourages her clients to stay active and fit. She plans to continue her studies in physiotherapy to grow her business.

“It’s never too late and you’re never too old to start something new,” she said. “In these changing times of technological advancement, upskilling is essential to staying relevant, especially in healthcare. »

A NEW CHAPTER: FROM HR TO HEALTH