Never too late for a new career

Mr Holmes completed the theory component of his administration course with the Mercy Health Training Institute after stumbling across an advertisement in the newspaper.

He is now completing the practical component at the Mercy Place Parkville aged care home.

“I’m doing this course for myself,” Mr Holmes explains. “I’m tired of talking to my dogs and cats who don’t talk back.

“I can relate really well to the residents because they’re my age,” Mr Holmes says.

“The staff say I have good communication skills and a lot of patience with both residents and their families.”

Mr Holmes spent more than 30 years working for Melbourne University as a surgical and scientific toolmaker. He made the switch to personal care when he was made redundant and worked the night shift at various private nursing homes for the next 10 years.

He gave up work when his wife became sick and hasn’t been employed for the past five years.

“I haven’t told my kids what I’m doing because I know what they would say…that I should be at home. But my advice to anyone else my age who is still fit and healthy is to go back to work.”

On completion of his administration course, Mr Holmes says he’ll be actively seeking employment in the aged care industry.

“My favourite part of the job is working with older people and if I behave myself I just might get a bed here.”