Everyone’s journey to meaningful and sustainable employment looks different.
For Disability Employment Services client, Jessie, having someone to walk beside her while she is in employment has helped towards her goals.
Jessie has a goal to one day, with her husband, move out of the granny flat they are living in and into their own home. They also had a goal to go on a holiday.
Jessie lives with an intellectual disability, which means she needs additional support to learn new tasks.
When she started working with atWork Australia in Morisset, NSW, she had limited work experience, but she was open to all kinds of work.
So, when a new café opened in the same building as the atWork Australia office, the team encouraged Jessie to apply.
Jessie went straight down to the café, and 15 minutes later she was back in the office with news she had an interview, and a few days later she was successfully employed.
“Having a job nearby to the office, meant the atWork Australia team was readily on hand to provide support,” said In-Work Support Coach, Sarah.
“Jessie also relies on public transport, and we knew she had practice getting to and from this location.”
The team supported Jessie to purchase work related clothing and helped her to learn how to use her alarm clock to ensure she was at work on time.
She quickly settled into her new role but after a while found her hours decreasing as she wasn’t yet trained in using the front register.
Jessie shared with her In-Work Support Coach, Sarah, that she was nervous she might get orders incorrect due to her barriers.
Sarah worked with the employer to upskill Jessie, including creating a plan to practice orders during quiet moments in the café at least once a shift to build her confidence.
Now that Jessie is trained, she is working many hours per week. She has recently gone on her holiday with her husband to Queensland.
Jessie has now been working for the café for two years and continues to be supported by the atWork Australia team to ensure she is well-supported as things change.
Every year, atWork Australia help thousands of clients like Jessie 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.