Did you know that in Australia, over half of all mums return to work before their child is one? This means the majority of us are actually balancing work demands and family needs with our own self-care.
Naturally, after having children and returning to work, your priorities, needs and professional interests change and you might find yourself considering retraining or upskilling. If this is where you’re currently at as a working mum, read our guide below to help you embrace this new challenge with confidence, knowing that the skills and knowledge you gain will be invaluable both in your professional life and at home.
Establish your goals
When considering your goals, reflect on your knowledge, skills and qualifications, the rapid rate of change in the workplace, your career goals, and the needs of your family. Having a clear idea of why you are upskilling makes the journey much easier.
For example, a mum with a Certificate II returns to work at a childcare centre but she feels completely lost as so much has changed. She decides to study for a CHC30121 – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care to refresh her knowledge, catch up on changes to laws and regulations, and to progress her career.
She loves working with children and knows upskilling in the childcare industry suits her situation and goals. It’s also a 12 month course and she can complete the practical components at her current workplace, meaning she will continue to receive discounted fees at her local childcare centre. Once completed, she can apply for higher-paid roles and move forward in her career.
Understanding and outlining your goals early can help you develop a game plan to get there that also accommodates your responsibilities and schedule as a parent.
What is upskilling?
It’s important to note, however, that strengthening the skillsets on your resume doesn’t necessarily have to involve registering for a 12 month course. In fact, there are many more flexible ways that mums can upskill. You just need to know what options are available to you.
Essentially, upskilling is any kind of continuous learning that’s designed to grow your existing skill set and increase your understanding. Training can be organisation-led (free professional development), organisation-facilitated (subsidised or fully paid by your employer), or self-initiated and self-funded.
Reskilling and upskilling are often used interchangeably, but they do differ. Reskilling involves training to move into a different field of employment, whereas upskilling focuses on enhancing skills within your current field. However, you can reskill to a different but related area within your industry.
So what upskilling options are out there today? From short courses to online courses and even self-facilitated training modules, mums who are looking to return to the workforce or even embark on a career change can take their learning and development firmly into their own hands.
Flexible upskilling options
When researching training options, consider the overall length of the course, the daily or weekly time commitment, the available study modes, and any practical placement requirements. Training duration can vary widely, from a few hours (such as a seminar or online module) to several years. Our best tip here is to start with small steps to avoid burnout; you don’t have to dramatically upskill in one leap.
Many formal courses offer part-time, full-time, or entirely self-paced online options. Training for those already working in a particular industry often runs online or in the evening to accommodate work commitments.
Upskilling can be non-accredited, such as bridging or or test preparation courses , or industry-recognised, including TAFE and university courses, and targeted professional short courses (such as First Aid training).
Communicate your needs
Open communication is vital when undergoing study or training on top of your other family or work commitments. Making an informed decision with cooperation from a partner, or other supports, makes planning easier and minimises potential friction. Similarly, maintaining an open dialogue with your family’s supports ensures problems are resolved and changes are quickly adapted to.
Develop and maintain communication with your employer and training provider as they may be able to facilitate greater flexibility and support. Pre-loading them also helps when you need extra time to complete tasks, or an emergency arises. If your partner is working as well, then this is all the more reason to build strong communication systems that allow you to accommodate each other’s schedules whenever that little bit of extra support is needed on either end.
Finding the right balance
Of course, it’s easy to tell people to find the right balance, but putting it into practice is much harder. And even if you’ve been in the workforce for the better part of a decade or two before you started your family, it’s natural to lose some level of self-assuredness upon returning to the workforce after your maternity leave.
However, don’t feel like you need to ‘make up for lost time’. It’s healthy and important for mothers to place firm boundaries around their work, upskilling, family, and personal time. By establishing these boundaries, you can help lighten the mental load that returning to work may bring.
The key here is to compartmentalise in the short term and consolidate in the long term, to make each day comfortable and your new schedule sustainable over the foreseeable future. Our best tip here is to incorporate your work, study/training, and personal calendars, then consolidate your schedule with your family calendar. You’ll be more organised and able to prioritise commitments across the week.
Be sure to also assess whether your current support structures are sufficient to cover the extra time needed for training. It can be difficult to increase hours or days at childcare providers, so inquire well in advance if required. And always have a backup option ready, whether that be friends, family, or a babysitter.
Look After Yourself
Self-care is not a luxury! As a working mum, you’re accustomed to juggling two big responsibilities, but adding study or training on top can put a strain on your mental health and your close relationships.
Schedule ‘you time’ into your calendar and consider it a priority rather than an optional extra. This can be logistically challenging, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many organisations provide access to no-cost and independent employee assistance programs, which often include counselling on a range of topics.
If you are approaching burnout, it is much better to take preventive action than to push yourself to the point of collapse. Regularly check in with yourself and adjust your commitments as needed to maintain your well-being.
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Taking on training or study to upskill while also working and being a mum is a courageous decision. It requires determination, careful planning, and a strong support network. This guide offers an outline for navigating your upskilling journey, helping you balance professional growth with personal responsibilities.
