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Success Stories
| Barbie Kitto Flight Centre - Marketing I have a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Business Law, have lectured at TAFE, run a Tourist Center and have designed and conducted communication and people skills courses for major Australian companies. I felt capable in my profession and was considered very good at it. However towards the end of my marriage and resulting separation I found my self confidence and self esteem starting to fade. It was not an easy separation and starting anew with a toddler brought further challenges. |
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I was no longer working and was on the single parent pension caring for my two year old. That was ten years ago and during that time my self esteem corroded more and more till I could no longer really remember that woman who had a degree and had run successful training courses. In fact, I thought to myself " who was that woman" thinking I had dreamt her into existence. Gradually I became more and more dis-empowered from feeling that I could work again, and I believed that really I was not employable after all.
It had been 8 years since I have worked and during those years my self esteem hit all time lows. There is however something amazing about the human spirit and events and circumstances started to change and they allowed me to see myself in a more positive light and rebuild my self confidence. One of these events was Centerlink calling to say that I could go and see a job network agency to get help for reentering the workforce. As a result of that call, the next wonderful event happened - and that was going to Sarina Russo.
I met THE most wonderful people at Sarina's office in the city. They are true professionals who recognised in an instant that I had a range of valuable skills to offer an employer. They arranged for me to attend a careers course with CRS, which I loved. They offered me help getting an up to date resume and what was most wonderful to me is that they allowed me to share with then who I was ten years ago - and they could see that I was still that person ( and so much more ). In them seeing it, I saw it as well. I felt supported, valuable and amazingly encouraged.
From here I felt inspired - they had fuelled the fire of hope in my heart - and I started to apply for jobs. Within a couple of weeks I got one. A fabulous contract with Flight Centre in their Marketing Department. I have that job now and I have also just started a business - providing courses and workshops helping women, especially single mums to live more fully and confidently. I feel confident once again and very able to contribute fully, both to an employer and to other women whose self esteem could do with a boost. The future looks bright.
| Tarin Lester Mossman - Ladies Fashion Within two days of being employed as a casual shop assistant Tarin Lester was appointed the manager of the ladies fashion store Mossman according to Ms Tara Sinclair , National Parenting Coordinator for the Sarina Russo Job Access. Ms Sinclair said Tarin had previously been out of the workforce for a significant period to raise her family but is now a role model for all parents keen to return to work and all businesses needing to employ reliable staff. |
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“ With skill shortages being felt across the business community parents returning to the workforce like Tarin have so much to offer and this demographic is such an untapped source of employment. “The good news is business is starting to recognise there is so much talent in our local suburbs who can make a positive contribution to the workforce after raising their family. Ms Lester said it is scary to be a sole parent and not have a job. “I have two boys and it was also very daunting for me to take that step from parenthood back into the workforce.
Getting a job was very important because I needed to have another string to my bow than just being a great mum. “I also wanted to bring my children up to learn responsibility and have a good work ethic. Sarina Russo Job Access had a plan to get me job ready and through their employer database they helped me get back into the workforce,” Ms Lester said. Ms Sinclair said parents will only be attracted and motivated to re-enter the workforce if they believe the decision will benefit the lives of their children.
“That’s why Sarina Russo Job Access puts so much effort to:
- identify parental skills which relate to today’s employment market;
- inform parents of local child care and community help options; and
- dispel any ‘loss of entitlements’ myths such as health care card or pension card.
“Mentoring parents and making them job ready is another important service which helps bridge the gap from unemployment to getting the job. “We assist parents with resumes, coach them on interview techniques, provide career counseling to assist them make the right choices and finally introduce them to flexible employers who are going to be family friendly. “A smart employer is a flexible employer which means parents returning to the workforce are a perfect fit because they want flexible hours which suits most small and medium businesses,” Ms Sinclair said.
| Janne Klimisch Envision Hair & Beauty Day Spa Ms Janne Klimisch is determined to ‘cut it’ in the hairdressing industry after been given the chance to ply her trade after being unemployed for over 456 weeks according to Ms Samantha Whiteside, Job Placement Officer for Sarina Russo Job Access Caboolture. Ms Whiteside said when Janne came to Sarina Russo Job Access she desperately wanted an apprenticeship in hairdressing but had been out of work since 1989. |
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“As a long-term unemployed, mature aged jobseeker, with little or no work experience getting Janne an apprenticeship in an industry which rarely hires anyone but juniors was a challenge. “To Janne’s credit she focused on her dream and didn’t allow anyone to deter her, Ms Whiteside said. Ms Klimisch said working together with Sarina Russo Job Access we finally got an interview with Troy Merker from Envision Hair and Beauty Day Spa at Strathpine.
“I was so excited to just get an interview but when Troy called me and said I had an apprenticeship tears welled up in my eyes and I literally jumped for joy,” Ms Klimisch said. Mr Merker said when he interviewed Janne he recognised that as a parent returning to the workforce she could bring a large knowledge and skills base to his business. “There is so much talent in our local suburbs who are keen to return to the workforce after raising their families and it’s important local business capitalises on this untapped employment source. “A smart employer is a flexible employer and parents returning to the workforce like Janne are a perfect fit for most small and medium businesses,” Mr Merker said.
Ms Whiteside said when Janne first came to Sarina Russo Job Access Caboolture looking for employment assistance she faced significant challenges in breaking the unemployment cycle. “I’m so proud of Janne’s passion, her tenacity and never say die attitude which was instrumental in securing a hairdressing apprenticeship. “This is more than just a job for Janne. It’s a self esteem generator. It’s a role model creator for other single mums. It’s an initiator for financial security and a positive future.
“I will certainly use her story as inspiration for other jobseekers to show them that anything is possible if you apply yourself,” Ms Whiteside said. Ms Klimisch said the training offered by Sarina Russo Job Access gave her the skills and the confidence to get through the interview process and hopefully make a valuable contribution to the Envision Hair and Beauty Day Spa team.
| John Webb EFI Diagnostic and Repair Centre Local businessman Juergen Reichenberg shares a common bond with his Australian Apprentice John Webb – they both got a start thanks to Sarina Russo Job Access (SRJA). Ms Sue Watson, Manager of SRJA Capalaba, said Mr Reichenberg is a graduate of a SRJA program that helps people start and operate a viable small business and John Webb is a jobseeker that came to the SRJA in search of employment. |
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Mr Reichenberg, a German immigrant to Australia in 1995, undertook a New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) program to give him the chance to start up a business specialising in the diagnosis of electronic fuel injection vehicles. Ms Watson said Juergen’s business, EFI Diagnostic and Repair Centre, is doing so well that he contacted SRJA in search of an apprentice. Mr Reichenberg said Sarina Russo is the first employment agency he contacted because of professional way they ran the NEIS program which prepared him to succeed in the Australian business environment.
“Within a few hours after contacting Sarina Russo Job Access Capalaba for an Australian Apprentice, I got a call back and an interview time was organised with John Webb, a local jobseeker. “I really like the synergy that both John and I got our starts thanks to Sarina Russo Job Access, Mr Reichenberg said. Mr Webb said the opportunity to work as an apprentice in electronics is a dream come true and he couldn’t be happier with his position at EFI Diagnostic and Repair Centre. “I work hard because I love the type of work I’m doing and it’s exciting that my tasks are gradually evolving to match my growing capabilities, Mr Webb said.
Ms Watson said EFI Diagnostic and Repair Centre is flourishing and it is great to see one of SRJA’s previous candidates becoming one of our preferred clients. “ Sarina Russo Job Access Capalaba is passionate about finding the right candidate for the right employer and it is sensational that we could be part of Juergen and John’s journey and more importantly their great success.
