Vicki Martin is passionate about people. Her role as a People and Culture Business Partner at Mornington Peninsula Shire is one that she finds very rewarding.

“One of the most valuable aspects of working in council has been the chance to support people, build relationships and contribute to our culture,” she said.

“Every day you can contribute and make a positive difference in your community.”

Pursuing a personal and professional interest

When Vicki heard about Earn and Learn courses being offered at her council, including one in mental health, she saw an opportunity to enhance her people-focused skillset.

“In my professional role, I have supported employees through challenging workplace situations that required a thoughtful and informed approach to mental health and wellbeing.

“When I learned about the Earn and Learn course, it felt like a natural fit for my ongoing professional development.”

Vicki's personal interest in mental health also encouraged her to pursue the training.

“Someone close to me experienced a long-term mental health injury arising from their work in emergency services, which gave me a deeper understanding of the impact mental health challenges can have on individuals and their families.”

Having this strong sense of personal and professional motivation is what inspired her to persist with the training and balance it amongst other priorities.

“Like any form of professional development, balancing work and study requires some planning and commitment. However, when you are genuinely interested in the subject matter and can see its value in both your professional and personal life, it is well worth the effort,” she said.

Being supported to study

Vicki's Earn and Learn course was delivered by Victoria University. She was able to complete her training while working full-time hours at Mornington Peninsula Shire.

“Studying while working at council was very manageable,” she said.

“The course workload was well-balanced, and the learning modules were straightforward to complete alongside my work commitments.”

Vicki’s participation in the course was also assisted by study leave, which she was supported to take.

She said this enabled her to attend face-to-face classes without trying to juggle competing demands. The face-to-face sessions ended up being one of her main highlights, and she got to learn alongside a network of other council staff.

“I had the opportunity to connect with like-minded people from other local government areas,” she said.

“These sessions provided a valuable forum to discuss the course content, share experiences, and learn from the different approaches being taken across our respective organisations.”

Putting learning into action

Vicki said the training has already benefitted her current role and opens the door to exciting future prospects.

“The training has helped shape the way I approach my work by placing greater emphasis on compassion, understanding and human connection. It reinforced that behind every workplace issue is a person with their own experiences, challenges and strengths.

“As a result, I have become more confident in navigating sensitive conversations and supporting employees in a way that empowers them rather than simply solving a problem.

“I believe these skills will continue to benefit me throughout my career and help me contribute to a more caring and supportive workplace culture.

Looking ahead, Vicki aspires to continue building a career where she can support people.

“I am passionate about creating workplaces where people feel safe, supported and empowered, particularly when navigating challenges,” she said.

“As I continue my career, I hope to contribute to a culture that places wellbeing alongside performance and recognises that people achieve their best when they feel valued and cared for.”

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