Suzanne’s journey with Jobfind began when our Workforce Australia service launched in Corio, Victoria, in July 2022. Having become a mother at 18, she had spent all her adult life raising five children. At the age of 54, with no vocational qualifications or previous success in getting a job, Suzanne (pictured above) was sceptical. Could Jobfind actually help her find a job?
There’s a job for everyone
Team Jobfind believes in everyone’s potential to find a job that’s the right fit for them.
Mariah Taylor, an Employment Consultant, and Rachael Fraser, a Recruitment Consultant, often team up to match their employment service participants with local employers seeking people to join their teams. With her focus on job seekers, Mariah specialises in getting to know each individual and providing them with tailored support to prepare them for the workforce. Rachael liaises with local employers to identify their specific recruitment needs and to match them with suitable candidates.
Together, Mariah and Rachael determined that Parkside Motel in Geelong, who were seeking housekeeping staff, would be an excellent fit for Suzanne.
“Suzanne didn’t have a qualification but she had decades of experience looking after her family and home, so we focussed on those skills in her job search,” says Mariah.
Plus, Rachael knew that Parkside Motel’s Linda and Wayne, would be supportive managers for Suzanne, who was new to the workforce and lacking in confidence.
Working within days
Within days, Suzanne had completed a workplace visit, received a job offer, and was ready to start part-time work in housekeeping. The Jobfind team provided additional financial support from the government’s Employment Fund to purchase fuel vouchers, work clothing and shoes for Suzanne to commence work.
Ten months on and Suzanne is thriving in work. Her managers at Parkside Motel are very pleased with her progress and say:
“Suzanne has demonstrated several key aptitudes that Parkside Motel values in its employees: conscientiousness, taking pride in their work, and being honest.”
More than just finding a job, Suzanne has found a way to uplift her family, too.
Her daughter has now secured a job at Parkside Motel and is providing for her own children.
In Suzanne’s words
“ Getting this job meant the entire world for me. It has changed my life dramatically. I’ve never worked. But they [Jobfind] helped me to walk into a job without any qualifications and be accepted.
“You need someone, just one person, to give you an opportunity.
“Now I can provide for myself and not struggle. The extra money means I can pay my bills, have food on the table every night and provide for my family.
“My children couldn’t be happier for me. They notice a difference in me physically, mentally, how much more I get out and about. I got my daughter a job in the same place and now she can provide for her child.
“I’m living proof that it doesn’t matter what mistakes you make in life, you can always improve and better yourself. Once you get that opportunity, you can thrive, it doesn’t matter who you are. Women especially…we can thrive in work.
“I’m proud I’m an Indigenous woman myself and out there and working. It shows that Indigenous people, we are honest and like to work. Just give people an opportunity.
“[My managers] Linda and Wayne are fantastic. They are really accommodating and give me flexibility in my job to still take care of my family’s needs. They praise me every day and tell me what a good job I do.
“I will just keep pushing until I get to where I want to be. I always pick myself up. If things aren’t going well, I tell myself ‘this is not how we do things.’
“Rachael and Mariah [at Jobfind], between the two of them, they found the perfect job for me. They check in with me all the time and make sure things are going alright with me and my family. They care about your family life as well. I’m so grateful to them.
“This job came at the right time and picked me up. It boosted my morale. Now I am someone that is capable and providing for my family.”
Suzanne is proud to be working
About Workforce Australia at Jobfind
The Workforce Australia service at Jobfind is personalised to help job seekers become job ready and secure meaningful work. We support individuals with a tailored plan to achieve lasting employment, including skills acquisition, job search and interview preparation. Jobfind also support employers with a no-cost service to find and hire staff, including access to government financial support.
Read more here: https://jobfind.com.au/job-seekers/workforce-australia/
