Arness had been looking for work since leaving school in Year 10 but with no success. After entering Workforce Australia Employment Services, delivered in the Townsville region by CoAct Connect and BUSY At Work, Arness was connected to her employment mentor, Meyalah. Melayah listened to Arness talk about her career hopes for the future and the type of work she was interested in. Arness expressed that she preferred practical, hands-on work and the trades sector appealed to her!
To maximise opportunities for their jobseeker candidates, CoAct Connect and BUSY At Work partner with service organisations in the regions they operate in. One of these organisations is On Common Country, a not-for-profit organisation that provides Indigenous Australians with pathways to training and employment opportunities through major Queensland projects. Through On Common Country, Arness was soon offered a position with Alexander Bodyworks, as an apprentice auto spray painter.
Sam Martin-Savage, Youth Engagement Officer at On Common Country said, “The work we do with BUSY At Work is really important for the Indigenous community. Its opening more doors for them and creating opportunities that they may not get somewhere else.”
Meyalah said of the partnership with On Common Country, “We’re going to be able to break down barriers and have more people enter employment by working together.
“We’re not just putting them into employment because that may not last. It’s about addressing the barriers people have first and making sure that they are linked to services so that, ongoing, they know that they have that support here.”
Arness is thriving in the workplace and said, “Asking someone for help, it can get you where you want to be. This is my first job and I’m really enjoying it. Working really opened my eyes to getting out a bit more and doing things on my own.”
“Like they say, ‘Because of her I can!’ Don’t be frightened to take the next step and get out of your comfort zone – and shine!”
Learn more about CoAct Connect and BUSY At Work Workforce Australia Employment Services.
Watch Arness’s journey to work:
