Transition to Work Youth Mentor, Kylie Leimanis, is based in Innisfail QLD and has never met her young participant, Malachi (pictured above). Yet in the three months she’s been supporting the 20-year-old, he has secured stable employment 1500km away, has renewed family support, and has gained immeasurable self-confidence as a full-time worker.
Support at last
When Kylie started working at Jobfind’s Workforce Australia – Transition to Work service in October 2022, Malachi was one of her first participants.
“He was sleeping rough on a crocodile-infested beach near Innisfail with very little social and family support,” says Kylie, a former high school teacher.
With schooling to Year 12 and limited work history, Malachi’s confidence to work was low.
When Malachi relocated himself to the Sunshine Coast to move in with his sister, Kylie’s support did not stop.
“I rang his sister’s employer and asked if they had any opportunities for Malachi. They did,” says Kylie.
With Kylie’s coaching on interview presentation and an updated resume and cover letter in hand, Malachi presented for his interview. To his delight, he was offered the job as a full-time furniture assembler and labourer with the manufacturing company.
“He’s with a really supportive line manager who I speak with regularly as Malachi settles into his new job,” says Kylie.
In a financial boost for the employer, Malachi’s position also attracts a government-funded Youth Bonus wage subsidy which Kylie made available to Malachi’s employer to help with the initial costs of hiring their new employee.
Ongoing support
Just five weeks into his first full-time job, Malachi still leans on Kylie for support, even though she is geographically so far away.
“Other young people have family they might ask for things like how to set up a tax file number. Malachi rings me,” says Kylie.
“I told him I was very proud of him for sticking it out through the many vocational and non-vocational challenges he faced,” says Kylie.
As his Transition to Work provider, Jobfind was also able to assist Malachi to purchase steel cap boots and personal protective gear to commence work. And when he needed his white card licence to be on the factory floor, Kylie once again invested the government’s Employment Fund to pay for his training.
The meaning of work to Malachi
Malachi says he enjoys his work a lot. “I get along with all the boys at work. I’ve got a few mates now on the job; they made me feel very welcome.”
He even enjoys the opportunity to work on the weekends:
“I grab the chance to get the extra hours, I can earn more money.”
After all, he has bills to pay – he’s now in stable accommodation, renting a place with his girlfriend.
Since he started working, Malachi says he feels much more confident and motivated in life in general.
His sister is proud of him, too: “She’s really happy with how far I’ve come. She tells me to stick with it,” says Malachi.
Malachi says he’s grateful for Kylie’s support: “I thank her to this day for guiding me through. She’s really helpful.”
As for Kylie, she hopes to travel one day to meet young Malachi in person.
“I would love to head down to his work one day and meet with him in person and shake his hand.”
Everyone at Jobfind wishes Malachi well as the continues to build his career.
About Transition to Work
Workforce Australia-Transition to Work is a government-funded employment and education service for young people.
If you’re aged 15 to 24 and you left school early, or you’re having difficulty finding a job after school, the Transition to Work program can help.
The program can help you into work, apprenticeships and training, or education.
Jobfind offers Transition to Work in Cairns and surrounding areas.
To enquire or read more about Jobfind’s specialised employment and education support for young people, click here.
