When life got tough for 46-year-old Chris S. from Tasmania, a retail professional, he had to step away from work for a bit.

Circumstances have improved, and he’s now back looking for work. To help him level up, he enrolled in SIR30216 Certificate III in Retail at Duke.

Chris Presses Pause

Chris is a seasoned retail pro, having worked at supermarkets until his son was diagnosed with autism and required homeschooling and a full-time carer – a role taken on by Chris.

With his son now old enough to go to school, Chris is back in the job market, looking to take his career further.

“I’ve got years in retail but it’s still hard to find a job. I thought, if I’ve got the course, then that’s something strong to put on my resume.”

Chris’s Journey

Chris has held jobs in factories and supermarkets over his 20+ year career. His decision to study retail came down to flexibility.

“I’ve got a 9-year-old daughter that I pick up from school every day, so having a flexible course is a good fit for me.”

So, why Duke?

“My job provider gave me a few different providers and courses to look at. I picked Duke because I’d seen them on social media and liked the look of how things worked. And they seemed the most credible, too.”

A pretty self-sufficient learner, Chris has been diving into the learner guide whenever he’s needed extra help and hasn’t needed to schedule any coaching calls. 

What’s Next for Chris?

Chris is on track to complete his Cert III in Retail, after which he’ll start looking for work. 

He’s got his eyes peeled in the meantime, but he’s waiting until his resume has a bit more firepower. 

“This course has definitely opened my eyes to certain things in the industry, so my confidence has gone up a bit.” 

We’re cheering for you, Chris.