Joshua is a young Indigenous man. At 20 years-old, Joshua has taken on the responsibility of the provider and role model for his family. Joshua lives with his siblings and cousins.
This journey has not been easy for Joshua and the last nine months have been even more difficult as he has been unemployed.
This period of unemployment has been impacting Joshua’s self-esteem and confidence. Joshua was feeling a strong responsibility to support his family. Due to the pressures, he placed on himself, he connected with atWork Australia’s Workforce Australia team for tailored support on his employment journey.
When Joshua met his Indigenous Connections Coach, Kathleen, at the Mount Druitt office in NSW, he spoke openly about the challenges he was facing. Joshua shared his family responsibilities, that he had limited work experience, no drivers licence and he felt responsible to support his family, but he was losing confidence in his ability to do so.
Joshua shared with Kathleen that his short and long -term goals both reflect his desire to support his family and be a role model in his community. His short- term goal is to find stable employment so he can financially support his family. While long term he wants to be a role model for his younger siblings, instilling in them the values of hard work and persistence.
Kathleen listened to Joshua’s concerns and reassured him that by reaching out and seeking support, he had taken the first step towards returning to work.
Kathleen recommended that Joshua attended atWork Australia’s Jobs for the Mob (JFTM) program. The program is designed to support Indigenous clients to develop their fundamental employability skills.
Joshua learnt valuable skills throughout the program. However, he found it difficult to fully engage due to feeling inadequate.
A key turning point in Joshua’s journey was when he attended MobCare and met facilitator, Shameer. Their discussion reignited Joshua’s motivation, leading Joshua to continue participating in JFTM with renewed determination and focus.
Throughout the MobCare program, atWork Australia hosts external community organisations, and Indigenous employers to meet with the groups to motivate, encourage and support them to achieve their goals.
“I witnessed Joshua’s exceptional engagement and commitment to learning as he diligently worked on his resume and interview skills,” said Shameer.
“This effort culminated in him actively applying for two positions and successfully securing a group job interview, marking a significant milestone in his journey towards employment.”
With continued support from Kathleen and Shameer, and the strong foundation provided by MobCare, Joshua is now equipped with the tools and positive mindset necessary to pursue his long-term career aspirations.
Joshua’s journey with atWork Australia has been truly transformational. atWork Australia continue to support him with food and fuel vouchers, funding for work/interview clothes and driving lessons so he can broaden his scope of employment.
Joshua continues to pursue his goals with a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to building a brighter future for himself, his family, and his community.
“If it wasn’t for atWork Australia, Jobs for the Mob or Shameer, I wouldn’t have the confidence or self-worth I have today,” said Joshua.
Every year, atWork Australia help thousands of clients like Joshua expand their skills and qualifications to help them gain the right job with the right employer. Call us today on 1300 080 856 or enquire online to find out how we can help you meet your career goals.
