Success Stories
Member Good News Stories
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
Finding new pathways after retrenchment with the West Gate Tunnel Project
Gideon Kori arrived in Australia as a refugee from South Sudan in 2005. He is a father of nine and a community pastor for the Sudanese community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Indigenous Mentor program leads to dream job
Mathew Webeck was determined to grab hold of every opportunity to pursue his dream job.
“They were amazing and worked really hard to find an electrical apprenticeship for me. Being older than most apprentices, I had not found many businesses willing to take on an apprentice my age.“But AES opened up so many opportunities and avenues that I could not have found on my own.”
“The support from Global Skills and AES has been second to none – from work clothes and boots to following up each week or fortnight to see how I am going. The first question they ask is ‘Do you need anything?’’
Successfully re-joining the workforce
Natalie has successfully rejoined the workforce through her hard work and commitment to our P242 employment program.
“Before I came to the Wirrpanda Foundation I was a stay at home mum, I had a daughter 7 years ago and ended up taking a long time off work. I put it off because I didn’t have the confidence, but coming to work with AJ gave me back that confidence when I applied to Officeworks and got the call back.”
Disability Employment Services (DES)
Meet Christine
When an ankle injury changed her life, Christine admits she came close to throwing in the towel. From shy beginnings, Christine has become a role model of resilience.
“I feel positive about the future and nothing is going to stop me. I’ll make sure of it.”
Kyle serves up hospitality
The Belmont is a cosy English-style sort of pub. One of those places where everybody knows your name.
When CVGT consultant Lorinne called Jaime to introduce Kyle as a potential employee, Jaime was a little unsure. But she decided to meet Kyle, who has Down syndrome, and that interview went pretty well
“It’s a fantastic job and I love it so much.”
Traineeships
A different path for Amelia
Sometimes a traineeship leads you down a path you never thought you’d follow, as was the case for former Maxima trainee, Amelia.
Originally undertaking a Certificate III in Business, Amelia has since changed career course after experience she gained while working with Alwyndor Aged Care, in an administration role.
“It’s hard to know what you want to do when you leave school and oftentimes, there can be pressure to go to university directly after high school. However, I think being in a work environment teaches you more about who you are and what motivates you in the workplace and in life. My traineeship opened doors and gave me a greater confidence to face the big world.”
Community Development Program (CDP)
CDP build up building skills
Mark Francis, Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) Builder Trainer for the Community Development Program (CDP), has been spearheading some great building projects in the Anmatjere region.
Some of the projects Mark and the training crew are working on are renovation works on a Council house in Ti Tree that was damaged and the Wilora men’s shed.
Career Transition Assistance (CTA)
Nothing is impossible with the right attitude
Adrian was referred to the OCTEC Career Transition Assistance (CTA) program through jobactive in April 2021.
Adrian was unaware of how this course could change his life in such a short time. 58 years old and unemployed since 2016, Adrian moved from the Central Coast NSW back to the Central West region to become a carer for this sick father.
“I now have a purpose each day, I am changing my lifestyle and am so much healthier physically and mentally.”
Jason secures dream job in 6 weeks
In today’s world, navigating a career change can seem like a daunting task. The hiring process has changed a lot in the past decade with social media use and technology skills now a necessary part of job searching. Gone are the days when people applied for jobs in-store with a one-page resume.
“The CTA program for me was really, really beneficial, coming out of law enforcement and transport industries to move across into retail. They were instrumental in their help for me to get my resumes and my cover letters up to scratch,”
New Business Assistance with NEIS
Micro-Business receives helping hand
Regional micro-businesses can now receive support to adapt their business to COVID normal conditions. Any business with four staff or less can access mentoring and accredited training to help refocus their operations or meet new demands.
“Real Rustic Designs owner, Damien Stroud, said he had been thankful for the support and advice the NEIS program provided when he established his business in early April 2020, right as the pandemic took hold.”
jobactive
VERTO helps Jade find rewarding new career
After 19 years working as a hairdresser, including owning her own salon, Forbes local Jade Acheson had surpassed her wildest dreams and felt she had achieved everything she could in the industry.
As the mother of three slowly grew tired of the physically demanding work and long hours associated with being a hairdresser, she craved a challenging and rewarding new career.
“Jade’s story really is an inspiring one. She is proof that no matter how long you have been doing something, there are always new and exciting career options out there that really can be life-changing.”
Transition to Work
Anthony won’t let COVID-19 hold him back from pursuing his dreams
Anthony has been a part of our Transition to Work (TTW) program in Aitkenvale since August 2020 after falling out of employment due to the global pandemic.
Anthony had always been the type of person to know what he wanted and would strive for it. He always wanted to be an architect, however, with no experience, he knew it was going to be hard to get someone to give him a chance.
School Leavers Employment Support Program
Zoe Makes the Cut in Her Dream Role through School Leavers Employment Support
Despite starting the WDEA Works School Leavers Employment Supports (SLES) program in the middle of a Covid-19 induced lockdown, Zoee Howe found a job which has her leaping out of bed each day, happy and excited to go to work.
“It feels really good having a purpose”
ParentsNext
Sam’s Story
“It opened up my eyes with what you can do with ParentsNext. There was a broad range of things. A lot of students in the course were mums as well so we go to connect and we formed friendships. It’s really just opened my eyes up to endless possibilities and my well-being has changed and my confidence. My ability to charge through my anxiety and depression. And I’m more active. I do a lot more with my children. And being employed for the last 10 months has done wonders for my well being. If it wasn’t for ParentsNext, I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in right now.”
Ex-offender
David’s new beginning at 65
Upon release, David was unemployed and living in a boarding house with 20 others in the Adelaide suburbs. David experienced several barriers including anxiety and illiteracy. Without a driver’s license and unable to take public transport, David displayed resilience and determination, walking to and from his appointments with his Employment Consultant and Counsellor at Job Prospects.
COVID-19 Impact
Local Chin community provides much needed help for enhanced school cleaning programs
In the Covid-19 pandemic, some specific skill sets have been more valuable than ever, with a marked increase in demand for workers in the healthcare, dispatch and sanitation sectors.
The team at Employment Plus Ringwood has also found that this global crisis has enabled some of its international job seekers an opportunity to get the employment opportunity they greatly need whilst also proving their value to their local community.
“We have to try to imagine what it would be like to be suddenly living in a foreign country, with very few possessions, no financial history or stability and no skill with the native language. It really is a tough start for some and it is incredibly satisfying to be able to help these people find stable employment.”
Collaboration
Job seekers kick goals and secure jobs as Asuria teams up with Collingwood Football Club
Asuria and Collingwood Football Club have proudly coached a team of job seekers into starting careers in the construction industry as a part of The Magpie Next Generation Project.
Community engagement during lockdown
Supporting the community
Many MatchWorks clients need the support of local community organisations to get their life back on track. That’s why MatchWorks established a grant program to help these organisations support more local people impacted by hardship. So far, 27 support organisations across Australia have benefited from over $35,000 of funding to assist at risk people in the community.
The grant program also gave a helping hand to Victorian hospitality clients after the sector was hit hard by ongoing lockdowns and restrictions. $7,500 was granted to 10 local cafes to enable them to give back to their customers or provide food packs for people struggling to put food on the table.
These initiatives made a positive contribution to local Australian businesses and communities. MatchWorks’ commitment moving forward is to further leverage key employer and community engagement initiatives, so clients job prospects and lives can continue to be enhanced.
“We have seen a rise in drug and alcohol abuse and an increase in the number of women and children escaping domestic violence and sleeping in their cars because it’s not safe at home.”
Margaret accessed The Bridge services all the way from Canberra
During lockdown, Margaret moved to Canberra to live with her sister. But thanks to The Bridge’s online services, she was still able to access supports from afar!
“Although it took me a little while to get used to this type of support, in the end I enjoyed our weekly catch ups.”
Food hampers help families during lockdown
To help ease the financial strain felt by families during lockdown, our Community Services Team have been delivering hampers of food to the doorsteps of residents in Eden, Bega and along the NSW South Coast.
“It was important to us to buy local and support local. Everything in the activity packs and the food we’ve organised has been sourced through local businesses so we can see the money come back into our community.”
NESA Awards For Excellence
The NESA Awards for Excellence acknowledged the outstanding effort, innovation and successes of allied community organisations, providers, employment consultants, employers, and job seekers across the employment services sector.
This annual event showcased exceptional effort, achievement, innovation, and progress in creating opportunity for all Australians through inclusion and employment. This year’s Gala Awards ceremony which forms part of the 2021 NESA National Conference, once again powerfully acknowledged the capacity of individuals and community organisations to turn lives around.
In addition to the four Award categories, this year NESA awarded its third NESA Life Fellow award to Mr John Perry (OAM), in recognition of his exceptional services to the employment services sector.
“The Award nominations continually inspire me. We congratulate not only the winners, but all nominees, and we know that those nominated represent just a fraction of those whose work and effort improves the lives of job seekers across the country on a daily basis. We salute you all – the Awards honour all of your efforts.” – Sally Sinclair, CEO NESA.
Life Fellow of NESA
John Perry (OAM)
The NESA Life Fellow award is bestowed in recognition of exceptional service to the employment services sector, and Life Fellows are leaders who have displayed outstanding leadership and made a valuable and significant contribution to employment, and related services.
This year NESA honoured John Perry (OAM), a NESA member who served on the NESA Board for nine years and has been working in the employment services sector for several decades.
John has been a longstanding advocate for building a strong employment services sector; one that is recognised for its professionalism and genuine approach. He has worked and has a long history in developing and managing successful social enterprises within Australia.
John is well respected by his peers and stakeholders and is exemplar of the commitment that people in the employment services sector have, working with job seekers, particularly those experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, and employers. In 2020 he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to community organisations that provide services and outcomes to disadvantaged people.
A truly worthy recipient for NESA’s third Life Fellow award.