Student Stories

Real stories of confidence, leadership and career growth through SWC’s workplace-based training.

I put in an expression of interest for the Diploma of Leadership and Management with the support and encouragement of my manager at the time. The course had been something I had wanted to do for some time, to expand my knowledge and thinking in leadership. I was lucky to be selected for the course in 2025.

At the time of the course, I was working in a senior clinical leadership position within my team and felt that I would benefit from some training and additional tools to add to my “leadership tool belt”.

The course added to and cemented my current knowledge. It added a new level of understanding and helped me to start thinking like a manager of a service rather than a senior. I started to “think bigger picture” and communicate with clarity and implement my new learnings and knowledge within the team.

The course gave me the skills, knowledge and most importantly confidence to be able to apply for a service manager role, which I was successful in obtaining. I now manage the team I was a senior in. I reach into my “leadership tool kit” all the time and use my knowledge and understanding of leadership and management daily. 

I would like to thank SWC and my trainer, Joe Lenehan, for pushing me out of my comfort zone and expanding my skills and knowledge to be a confident leader and manager within the health space. I think back to my first learning session and honestly wondered what I had gotten myself into. I now look at the knowledge and skills that I have taken away from the course and realise this was one of the best things I have done to invest in my learning, skills and future.

Sarah Logie-Smith
Manager Western Health Aged Care Assessment 
Western Health at Home 

As a previous student of SWC TRAINING, I completed the Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services and found the training to be extremely professional, well structured, and highly relevant to real-world practice. The course content was thorough and aligned with industry standards, with an excellent balance between theory and practical application.

The training environment was supportive, well organized, and focused strongly on compliance, safety, and best practices. Concepts were explained clearly, and the hands-on components were especially valuable in reinforcing the learning. I always felt encouraged to ask questions and was given the time needed to fully understand the material.

To complete the experience, trainer Allan Dean Christie was outstanding – knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely committed to student success. His guidance and real-world insights added significant value to the training and helped build confidence throughout the course.

Overall, the Certificate IV in Sterilisation Services at SWC TRAINING was an excellent learning experience, and I would highly recommend both the training and Allan Dean Christie to anyone seeking a high-quality, industry-focused qualification.

Yulia Brugman
CSSD Manager
Warrigal Private Hospital 

I am writing this email in response to the recent completion of my Certificate III in Health Administration through SWC Training. 

Firstly, I would like to highlight how incredibly impressed I am with the overall process from beginning to end of the course, and specifically the support and guidance provided by the SWC trainer, Nicolas Grieco.

In my previous experience of attending and completing a Certificate IV in Book keeping and Accounting at North Regional Tafe on site, I can speak about the comparison of the way the two courses are presented to students and why I enjoyed and found this apprenticeship unique and instructive in advancing students education and knowledge particularly my own. The experience I had during this Certificate III has been uniquely positive and stands out in terms of practical application, and trainer engagement.

Nicolas Grieco demonstrates a remarkable ability to connect with, clearly communicate complex ideas, and create a supportive learning environment. He showed a genuine commitment to my development, ensuring I understood not just the content but also demonstrated how I could apply it confidently in real workplace settings. His approachable nature, combined with his deep knowledge and real-world experience, made a significant difference in how I absorbed and retained the learning material.

Nicolas consistently demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness which I found particularly important , he consistently accommodated to my individual learning style and pace, offering additional guidance when needed and encouraging independent thinking and problem-solving. His feedback was always constructive and timely.

Overall, the training delivered by Nicolas Grieco through SWC has far exceeded my expectations and I would highly recommend both the course and the trainer Nicolas Grieco.

Staci Kotzaitsis
Front Desk – Administrator
St George Hospital 

“Writing this letter to you proved as challenging as doing the diploma.

There are a lot of things I could say like the fact that I left school at 15 and swore I would never go back again but 30 some years on here I am writing a thank you to you and SWC training for the best adventure in education to date, but I think I will just stick with what I can remember. 

I wanted to take a moment to share my professional development journey with you, as it has been both challenging and rewarding.

Embarking on the SWC training program was an unexpected experience for me. Having never truly appreciated school in my younger years, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed learning as an adult. While the process was demanding, it proved to be immensely fulfilling.

I began with a Certificate III in Allied Health, progressed to a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, and ultimately achieved a Diploma in Leadership and Management. This journey not only deepened my understanding of team dynamics and management but also taught me to trust my own decision-making. I learned the importance of empowering staff to take initiative and grow professionally.

Conflict is a natural part of any workplace, but effective conflict management is what strengthens a team. Would I recommend these courses? Absolutely. They taught me to take responsibility, see the bigger picture, and recognize that staff are more than just employees as they are the foundation of any successful organisation. I also gained valuable strategies for supporting and inspiring colleagues, encouraging them to pursue further education through (hospital) programs. These opportunities provide pathways for retraining, skill development, and building confidence, ultimately transforming lives.

The most challenging qualification was the Diploma. It came with moments of stress, anxiety, sleepless nights, and even tears but also laughter and growth. Completing it stands as one of the proudest achievements of my life. I am deeply grateful to my tutor, whose support, guidance, and encouragement were instrumental. He believed in me when I doubted myself, and his dedication through calls, meetings, and even difficult conversations has helped me persevere and succeed.

This journey has shown me that with determination and the right support, goals that once seemed unattainable can become reality. 

Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat. 

I look forward to applying the skills and insights I have gained to strengthen our team, foster growth, and create opportunities for others to succeed. Thank you for your continued support in making professional development a priority within our organisation.”

Leonie Hughes
Support Services Coordinator

I began the Diploma of Leadership and Management as part of my commitment to personal growth and professional development. I wanted to strengthen my leadership capability, not only to better support my role, but also to grow in confidence, clarity and purpose as a leader within healthcare.

To me, leadership is not about position or authority. It is about influence, accountability and how you show up for others. Leadership is important in any role because it shapes culture, builds trust and determines how challenges are approached. My role requires balancing multiple stakeholders, responding to competing priorities and making decisions that directly impact safety, efficiency and care delivery. Strong leadership ensures these decisions are made with integrity, empathy, and a clear sense of duty of care, ultimately benefit the organisation and most importantly – the patients we serve.

On a personal level, the course has helped me refine my ability to prioritise, strengthen my empathy and reflect on what truly matters most to me. This has allowed me to approach both work and life with greater intention and balance.

I was truly grateful for this opportunity, which was a positive and rewarding re-entry into formal learning that has left me feeling more capable, confident, and motivated as both a leader and an individual.”

Fazeeha Sneddon
Facilities Coordinator