After years of difficulty maintaining employment, Kathy is excited for a new opportunity promising to be a great match for her skills and her love of learning.
The 32-year-old mother from Busselton in WA lives with chronic pain and other serious health problems. She has diabetes, arthritis, and polycystic ovary syndrome making it difficult for her to work full-time. Kathy has also been unable to find flexible work which fits in with her family and the needs of her young children.
After many attempts to find work, Kathy approached her local atWork Australia office in Busselton. Here she was teamed up with experienced job coach Kristie, who could see Kathy had plenty of strengths but also needed a confidence boost.
“Kathy has a great skillset, an amazing personality and loves building knowledge, but sometimes was anxious about putting herself out there to employers,” Kristie explains.
Kristie wanted to provide her client with the right support to give her greater confidence during her job search. She signed Kathy up to atWork Australia’s Jobs Now program, which is tailored to support Disability Employment Services clients find sustainable employment. Weekly sessions provide a space to create a brilliant résumé or practice interview skills.
Kathy learnt cold-calling techniques, and how to market herself to employers, and also attended a TAFE course called Job Skill Set, for a little extra support to get into a job.
Kristie helped Kathy apply for a WA White Card and provided her with interview clothes, and boots and clothing for work.
Despite the coronavirus epidemic and the uncertainty it caused, Kathy was offered a flexible job as a depot hand with a local council just weeks after she started with atWork Australia.
She says she felt extremely comfortable with at Work Australia’s staff. “They’re so understanding and after a negative experience elsewhere it was a lovely surprise with atWork Australia,” Kathy says.
Thousands of people with a disability, injury or mental health condition have found meaningful work through
atWork Australia. Call us on 1300 080 856 or send an email to contactDES@atworkaustralia.com.au and let’s get started today.
