At ICAN, workforce development is more than training—it’s about creating pathways for people to grow, lead, and give back to their communities in meaningful ways. Jay-Kaylah Grogan-Creed’s journey is a powerful example of how the right support, opportunity, and determination can transform not only a career, but entire communities. Having recently completed her Certificate III and Certificate IV in Community Services, Jay-Kaylah has now stepped into the CHC51122 Diploma of Financial Counselling—a key step in building a strong, community-led financial wellbeing workforce across Far North Queensland and beyond.
“I was inspired by the people around me”
Rather than confidence being the starting point, Jay-Kaylah credits her decision to study to the people around her. “I feel like I was very inspired by everybody else around me. They were very encouraging and supportive… and I’m so grateful that I did it because I’m learning so much.” This reflects a core principle of ICAN’s workforce model—peer inspiration and culturally safe learning environments are often the catalyst for participation, particularly for First Nations learners. With strong support from financial counsellors and mentors, Jay-Kaylah describes a learning environment built on “having a yarn,” sharing knowledge, and making complex concepts accessible.
A Career Shift with Purpose
Before joining ICAN, Jay-Kaylah worked across cleaning, administration, and HR roles. While she had always been connected to community, her current pathway represents a shift into deeper, more impactful work. “It feels better to be out within the communities… sitting down one-on-one and actually helping mob. It’s a lot more rewarding.” This transition highlights the importance of structured career pathways—moving people from entry-level roles into specialised, purpose-driven professions like financial counselling.
Learning Across Communities and Cultures
Studying alongside people from across Australia and diverse cultural backgrounds has broadened Jay-Kaylah’s perspective on financial hardship and service delivery. “It’s very broad… you hear different stories from everyone. The issues are different depending on where people are from.” While urban contexts may focus on issues like mortgages, Jay-Kaylah emphasises that in remote communities, challenges are often shaped by access, resources, and systemic barriers. This reinforces the need for a place-based workforce—professionals who understand the lived realities of the communities they serve.
The Power of First Nations Workforce Representation
For Jay-Kaylah, one of the most meaningful aspects of her work is supporting her own community. “It warms the heart… you’ve gone through struggles and you’re seeing others struggling… and you can say, ‘I’m here to help you.’” This reflects a critical workforce development outcome: First Nations-led service delivery builds trust, reduces stigma, and increases engagement.
She also highlights how financial counselling and education are helping to break long-standing cycles: “We’re breaking that cycle… mob don’t like talking about money… but with education, it becomes less of a worry.”
From Service Delivery to Advocacy
Looking ahead, Jay-Kaylah’s aspirations extend beyond individual support into systemic change. “I’d love to do more advocacy work… being a voice for issues people don’t see in the Gulf, Cape, and Torres Strait communities.” This progression—from frontline service delivery to advocacy—is a key feature of ICAN’s workforce vision: developing practitioners who not only support individuals, but influence systems.
Balancing Study, Work, and Life
Like many learners, Jay-Kaylah is balancing study with work and life commitments, emphasising the importance of routine and self-management. “It’s about balance… doing a bit each day and not overloading yourself.” Her experience underscores the need for flexible, supported training models that enable participation without burnout.
A Message to Future Learners
For those considering study but feeling unsure, Jay-Kaylah’s advice is clear: “It’s mind over matter… you’re going to learn so much, and it’s going to be so rewarding. It’s investing in becoming a better person.”
Building the Future Workforce
Jay-Kaylah’s journey is exactly what ICAN’s workforce development strategy aims to achieve—growing a skilled, culturally grounded, and community-led financial wellbeing workforce. As she works toward completing her diploma later this year, her story is a reminder that workforce development is not just about qualifications—it’s about confidence, identity, community connection, and long-term impact.