Damien has experienced numerous barriers in his life; living in foster care as a teenager and becoming homeless in his early adulthood. As a result, he fell into a pattern of substance misuse and his mental health declined.
From Midland, WA, Damien had been in-and-out of employment since 2016. He did not have motivation to work. When he first visited the atWork Australia Workforce Australia team in Midland, his mental health and his home life were considered high-risk.
However, through the Points Based Activation System (PBAS), Damien was able to achieve the required points by attending in-house wellness sessions. This gave Damien the support he needed to get back on track.
From there, he worked closely with his Job Coaches, Joanne, Paul and Cailyn, to set goals and take the right steps to get where he wanted to be.
Damien’s Job Coaches also referred him to various programs to gain tickets and licences, such as his White Card and Working at Heights. The experience and learning were great, and from here, Damien expressed that he wanted to work in security.
Cailyn was quick to get the ball rolling and explained the process, then organised and help fund a Certificate II Security and test through the Security Agents Institute of Western Australia (SAIWA Test). Damien then funded and organised the forms to obtain the licence.
Once Damien received his licence, Cailyn reached out to her colleague in the Employer Engagement team, Jennine, to refer Damien to security companies in the local area and advocate on his behalf.
Damien was successful in securing a position as an RSA Officer.
He attributes his success to the love and support he received from his Job Coaches. He built a strong rapport with the team and his self-confidence has improved dramatically. He is thankful for the opportunities he was given to upskill that led him to employment.
Cailyn said, “Damien is always on time to appointments now, is well dressed and wears a suit when he has interviews, has improved confidence and, most importantly, a greater outlook on life”. She continues, “Damien is motivated to improve and succeed further in his career.”
“I am grateful for everyone’s time and effort. I am super excited to start a new chapter. To anyone who is struggling, put in the effort and time, and don’t be afraid to speak up.”
Every year, atWork Australia helps thousands of clients like Damien 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.