Brandon received his Certificate III in Retail at a presentation ceremony this week from local Sureway Employment & Training Manager Scott Thomson, who Brandon says helped him to change his life along with Sureway Echuca Recruitment Consultant Debbie Pickering.

Brandon began working at Bite Me Deli in late 2017 after being connected with the employer via the Workforce Australia provider for a 6-week PaTH internship placement, which progressed to part-time employment.

While Brandon had had some work history some years prior, he says that an 8-month battle with depression turned his life upside down.

“It was a down time in my life,” Brandon said, “I just felt like there was nothing really to life at the time.”

Mr Thomson said that when he met Brandon he was disengaged, however he could see the potential in him and he and Ms Pickering were determined to set him on the right pathway.

“We focused on addressing key barriers to employment, like updating his resume and interview techniques, and getting him into driving lessons to be able to gain his licence.” Mr Thomson said.

“Brandon really put in the hard yards though in looking after his own mental health.” He said.

Brandon said that counselling, friends and family were the key to overcoming his depression battle, but that employment has also given him a purpose again.

“It’s doesn’t feel like I’m just circling, and I feel like I have a reason to get up in the morning.” He said.

Bite Me Deli owner Kate Cunningham said that Brandon quickly became a valuable member of her team.

“He’s made great progress since starting here as an intern,” she said, “I’ve been really pleased with how far he has come.”

“It goes to show that one job really can change someone’s life.” Ms Cunningham said.

Brandon, who completed his studies through Sureway Skills Training, continues to work at Bite Me Deli in Nish Street, Echuca and hopes to continue his education in Retail Management.

The post Brandon’s story appeared first on Sureway.

The Star Rating system, published quarterly, measures the success of employment providers across the country in assisting and maintaining job seekers into work. The scale also provides transparency for job seekers and employers alike to be able to select the best provider for their needs.

Overall, the results show strong consistency from our teams who are committed to assisting people into sustainable employment and supports.

Below is a key summary of the highest performing areas across our business:

NSW

• Tumut maintained its 5-star status, which is has held since September 2017
• Broken Hill also held 5 stars, making it the second quarter in a row for the regional office

VIC

• Leongatha and Mansfield saw great success, with both improving from 4 stars to 5 stars
• Echuca has now held a 5 Star Rating for 10 consecutive quarters since September 2016

SA

• Nuriootpa achieved a third consecutive quarter at 5 Stars, having held the status since June 2018

The post Best Workforce Australia services across VIC, NSW & SA announced appeared first on Sureway.

When Sureway Morwell first began discussions around his pending Work for the Dole phase requirements Cameron admits he was initially not pleased.

“I had had negative experiences with Work for the Dole with other providers and activities, so I was pretty apprehensive about it to begin with.”

Sureway Morwell Employment Consultant Cassandra Carn said that she could sense Cameron’s uneasiness about the program, but wanted to help him see that Work for the Dole can be an opportunity.

“We got to chatting about his passions and he let me know that he had had some radio training.” Ms Carn said.

“I knew right then that he had to be placed with GippsFM!” she said.

An excellent Work for the Dole host, GippsFM were thrilled to welcome Cameron into their workplace knowing that he had a strong interest in the industry.

It only took a few short weeks for the GippsFM team to start reporting back on Cameron’s excellent performance, and that he was going above and beyond for their organisation.

“I have been working on my ‘on air’ skills a lot, and I’ve learned so many tricks of the trade.” Cameron said about his placement.

Knowing that Cameron’s skills were a perfect fit for their organisation, the team at GippsFM together with Sureway Consultant Kylie O’Connell developed a paid position at the Station that suited Cameron to a tee which he commenced in January 2019.

The GippsFM team say that Cameron has excellent communication skills, and he is only getting better with time and experience.

When asked if his experience had changed his mind about Work for the Dole activities, Cameron encouraged other job seekers to get talking and make the most of your chances.

“Try to utilise your passions in your conversations with your Consultant so that tailored servicing can happen.” He said.

“(My Consultant) Cass always said that you get out what you put in. If you aren’t 100% committed to making things work for you then generally they won’t.”

“Without this Work for the Dole program I know I would not have had the opportunity to work within this industry, prove myself and continue in it.”

Now working in his dream job thanks to Work for the Dole, Sureway and GippsFM plus much of his own hard work, Cameron had one last piece of advice for other job seekers.

“Chase down your dreams and stand for nothing less.”

If you are in the Gippsland area, you can catch Cameron on air on GippsFM 104.7

The post Cameron’s Story appeared first on Sureway.

The Awards acknowledge the great service, contribution and achievements that local businesses make to our community.

Tumut Employment Consultant Kim Dunn said that the nomination was a great surprise.

“I was very surprised to receive the news that we have been nominated for these Awards“ Mrs Dunn said.

“It’s humbling to be recognised in this way for the work we do in our home town.” She said.

Area Manager Tammy Stear said economic sustainability was a top priority for the service.

“We are very proud to be able to contribute to the sustainability of our communities by making education and employment opportunities more accessible for residents.” Mrs Stear said.

“Our services not only help to strengthen and grow our economy, but also contribute to improved quality of life for members of our community.” She said.

With three local staff on-site in Tumut, the office who deliver Workforce Australia and Disability Employment Services (DES) also travel out to the surrounding region regularly, with Mrs Dunn stating that they have been able to assist people into over 120 local jobs in the past six months.

“Our customers stretch all the way from Tumut to Batlow, Gundagai and Tumbarumba.” Mrs Dunn said.

“We believe that living in a rural, regional or remote area shouldn’t impact your chances to access high quality education and employment services.”

Mrs Stear said that supporting businesses to access Australian Government programs and incentives was also a large focus for the local team.

“Over the past year alone we have assisted local businesses to access many thousands of dollars in Australian Government incentives.” She said.

“These funds help businesses small and large to hire and train new staff and help our town to keep making economic progress.”

“I would greatly encourage any business owner to provide an opportunity if you have the means to do so.” Mrs Stear said.

“We need to work together to build a strong community and keep moving forward.”

The awards ceremony will be held on March 26 in Tumut NSW.

For more information contact the Tumut Regional Chamber of Commerce on 0488 111 617.

The post Tumut celebrates nomination appeared first on Sureway.

Natalie’s story

Natalie Wilson came to Sureway when her youngest child turned 8.

Unsure of the direction she would take when re-entering the work force, she discussed various barriers she felt stood in her way to finding sustainable employment.

Cootamundra Recruitment Consultant Kristy Manning recalls Natalie asking ‘what type of job are you going to get me with my history?’. Kristy responded with ‘I don’t just get people jobs, I empower them to get their own.’

A light bulb moment and the start of a great relationship, Kristy recalls reminding Natalie that many employers do not care about your employment history or what you have done, but rather ‘it is what you can do now’.

Over many months, Kristy and Natalie worked together to build confidence to ensure that Natalie could put her best foot forward.

“Natalie started to come to appointments with such enthusiasm,” Consultant Kristy said, “We started to look at positions with real possibilities.”

After expressing an interest in Traffic Control, the Cootamundra team arranged for Natalie to complete the next available course where she absolutely thrived on her new skill set.

“Natalie was so motivated after gaining her Traffic Control License that she travelled to both Young and Wagga Wagga seeking work.” Kristy said.

“She really showed me that week that she wanted this, and she was working hard for it.” She said.

Soon after, Sureway Cootamundra partnered with three NBN Contractors who had recently moved into the area.

“As we worked through their staffing needs we got to Traffic Controllers.” Kristy said.

“I couldn’t wait to tell them that we had the happiest Traffic Controller on Earth ready to work!”

Although the positions did involve a lot of heavy duty digging, Consultant Kristy was sure that Natalie was up to the task, telling the employer that once they met her they would fully appreciate her personality and skills.

Natalie was successful in gaining a position with Contractor, Avaara, with the Supervisor reporting back that Natalie was definitely keeping the boys on their toes.

As part of her induction, Natalie completed further training in NBN, First Aid, and Non-Friable Asbestos Removal, which Consultant Kristy said is leaps and bounds ahead of the career path that Natalie expected to take when she first came to Sureway.

“It has been such a great journey to be on with her.” Kristy said.

“I am very proud of what she has achieved so far, and what she will achieve in the future.”

Natalie continues to work in the NBN industry today.

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It was an approach characteristic of everything Griffith’s Neighbourhood House stands for, as a local ‘work for the dole’ project gave the centre the facelift it desperately needed. A Federal government program, ‘work for the dole’ teaches job seekers essential skills while benefiting community organisations.

A Federal government program, ‘work for the dole’ teaches job seekers essential skills while benefiting community organisations.

To read more on the Area News article click here.

The post Project a win-win for all appeared first on Sureway.

With the help of some local ingenuity and tireless fundraising, local campaigner Matt Hanson is behind the effort to clean up the river with the help of the River Repair Bus and 30 Work for the Dole participants.

Watch the video here!

Video courtesy of Prime7 News

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