Like many clients of atWork Australia, overcoming barriers to gain employment can be one of the most difficult challenges and it is for this reason that atWork Australia’s, tailored services are essential resources for people living with disability, injury or health condition.
One such resource has been devised by atWork Australia Busselton Job Coach Kristie, who proposed that clients attend a group session at their local office and interact with each other face to face in a moderated group session, targeting those experiencing physical or mental barriers.
The program’s key aim is to remove clients from their comfort zones and give them space to engage in a group with the goal to help them realise that they are not alone in their challenges and to demonstrate that atWork Australia Busselton is a supportive safe space to collaborate and have fun in creative ways, in turn enriching their skills.
The clients who agreed to participate, by chance, revealed to be all gentlemen, but this discovered a dichotomy whereby, their own unique, individual set of circumstances, exposed strong commonalties in the group. The most common revelations were the challenges that fathers face every day when gaining employment, when managing their own mental or physical health concerns. In these sessions, the gentleman are given a platform to share their strategies to overcome these barriers.
Job Coach Kristie helps each participant build on their social interaction and develop new skills through discussions around strategies within their community. Clients benefit from learning about local opportunities in the job market, that are in line with their strengths.
Despite not being in employment yet, clients enjoy participating and are building new skills. Job Coach Kristie introduces innovative ideas related to industries and upcoming employment opportunities, with the many employer partnerships that have been nurtured by atWork Australia.
Job coach Kristie said, “These clients have really brought the fun into my role. The group is so engaged and conjure up fantastic ideas for future sessions that also assist with ideas I could bring forward to other clients.” Kristie added, “by watching them come out of their shell each fortnight has encouraged me to also step out of my comfort zone. AUSLAN – two-handed alphabet – was a phenomenal 90-minute session where all clients showed commitment and dedication to learning. And they look so impressed with their new skill!”
Every year, atWork Australia helps thousands of clients 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.
For support with men’s mental health and wellbeing, call 1300 78 99 78 or enquire online; MensLine Australia