Kayla’s journey to part-time employment in cleaning
Wagga Wagga Workforce Australia participant Kayla, 31, has recently secured permanent part-time employment in the cleaning industry.
Below she shares her journey from unemployment to her new reality of financial freedom and connection to her community.
Can you tell us a bit about your life prior to getting this job?
Life was tough. I was (and still am) experiencing mental illness, I experienced homelessness, sleeping on the streets and just trying to support myself any way I could.
How did being unemployed make you feel? Were you hopeful that you would find employment or were you becoming discouraged?
Not being employed and getting knocked back interview after interview made me feel like I was failing. It was embarrassing. I just wanted to be a normal working and functioning adult. Before I began suffering from anxiety, my first job was when I was a teenager, working in hospitality and managing a kids club in a holiday resort.
Can you tell us about the support you received that lead to your new employment?
My consultant Teg and the Wagga team gave me the encouragement, confidence, tools and the opportunities I needed to gain employment. Sureway helped me create a proper resume, set up job interviews and enrolled me into courses. It wasn’t easy, I was scared and not sure what to expect.
Was this type of role/industry always your goal, or did you broadened your scope to find it?
Through Sureway, I initially got a job as a Traffic Controller. I became more confident within myself. After a while I wasn’t having much luck so I decided to explore other employment opportunities. I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do, so I thought of what I enjoy doing and what I’m good at. Not only do I enjoy cleaning, but I’m also really good at it too. That’s when I started applying for cleaning positions. I have now been employed by a great cleaning company!
Do you think your quality of life has improved now that you have employment?
Being employed as a permanent part-time worker in the cleaning industry has boosted my confidence, given me more financial freedom, new friends and a reason to feel proud of myself. It has taught me that no matter where you have been in the past, what you’ve been through or what you’ve done, you can still get somewhere and achieve things.
What would be your number one piece of advice to other PARTICIPANTS?
Work out what is holding you back, work on it and keep moving forward. One step at a time.The Wagga team wish Kayla all the best for her new career path, and we look forward to supporting her to maintain her momentum!
Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.
