Lacey was a mum at 16 and is now bringing up three children, aged 10 to 14, on her own.It's a familiar story and for the people who find themselves in situations such as this, it can be soul-destroying with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
But thanks to Mission Australia Employment Solutions Site Manager Regi Moulds and Employment Advisor Crystal Hall, Lacey's breaking out of the welfare rut and looking forward to employment as a social worker. It's a huge step, especially for someone who's had to be a full-time mum and never been employed in the workplace.
"I was in my final year at uni when I approached Mission Australia and they've been helping
me get ready to go into a job," the 31-year-old told The Eden Imlay Magnet in southern NSW.
"They helped put together my resume and helped with the cover letter and all the eligibility criteria, posting things out, internet access so I can keep studying, they covered costs such as uni books it's been wonderful."
While the benefits of having a job are obvious, there is something so much more that Lacey is
getting from this important step in her life.
"I was born and bred in Eden and I was 16 when I had my first child," she said. "I always felt
that the community looked at me as though I wasn't contributing and not having a go.
"Doing this uni degree and now getting ready for job here has been so important for my self-esteem. There are still moments when I get anxious," she added, "especially when I go for job interviews, because I've never done it before. So I ring Regi and she'll ask the questions I'll likely get in the interview and pump up and that really helps."
Mission Australia's Employment Solutions Eden office recently won its third Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) five-star rating (the highest given out) in a row. These ratings recognise the speed at which a person finds a job, the number of people placed in jobs and whether they maintained their new positions long-term.
Regi says it's getting tougher with businesses closing their doors, tourism down, major industry threatened and sheer bad luck such as the Pelagic Fish Processors plant fire. However, Regi and Chrystal have been working tirelessly to find work for many unemployed people of all ages and backgrounds in Eden.
"Some people have never had a career, or there are people with drug and alcohol dependency, mental and physical barriers," Regi said, but they've still managed to place around 80 people in the six months to December.
"But it's not just finding them work, she said. “It's a journey to sustainable employment it might be working out what study is needed to achieve employment, or something simple like helping with resumes and paperwork even how to dress for an interview."
Chrystal added that working with potential employees is also an important part of their work, which takes a holistic approach to employment.
"We're not trying to just put someone in a job," she said. "We like to make sure that it's the right person for the right job so both the employer and employee are happy. Then we keep in touch with them afterwards to make sure that it is a happy employment situation."
For people looking for workers, Mission Australia can help with wages assistance, training and even providing a place to conduct interviews.
In 2009-10, Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions assisted 154,676 job seekers across the nation. If you’re looking for work, or staff, find out more at http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/pathways-sustainable-employment-services
Above photo: Regi Moulds and Crystal Hall flank client Lacey.
Story by Justin Law and courtesy of the Eden Imlay Magnet
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