Indigenous Employment Archives

Collaboration Between TURSA and Strategic Partners Paves the Way for Career Success.

In pursuing personal and professional growth, individuals often encounter challenges and uncertainties. With collaboration between service providers and trainings doors open.

Victoria’s path from post-school uncertainty to a thriving career in aged care showcases the impactful collaboration between TURSA, a job service provider, and key partners like NV College and NVC Group.

I spent the first 12 months with TURSA looking at options and trying to find my way. It wasn't until I did their Steps Towards Work Program that I discovered my career passion.

Victoria

Victoria candidly shared her initial struggles with post-school uncertainty.

However, her fortunes changed when she joined TURSA’s “Steps Towards Work” program, a three-day initiative to help participants explore career paths. During this program, she was introduced to Enrico from NVC Group, who highlighted the opportunities in aged care and their Care Ready course.

Collaboration

The collaboration between TURSA and NV College became evident as Victoria progressed through the Care Ready course, providing her with essential skills and a taste of the industry. The collaborative effort was not just about coursework; it extended to practical experiences, such as Victoria’s time at Autumn Lodge, and as a result she gained hands-on experience feeding residents.

Discussions with Chris, Victoria’s TURSA employment advisor, shed light on the ongoing support provided to individuals like Victoria. Chris emphasised the importance of the relationship between job service providers and training organisations, praising the seamless coordination that enables participants to find direction and pursue educational opportunities.

Career Gateway Through Collaboration

The involvement of NV College in the process was crucial. The “Steps Towards Work” program served as a gateway, exposing participants to potential careers. The collaborative approach between the college and NVC Group allowed Victoria to progress from short courses to a Certificate III in Individual Support. This resulted in gaining a traineeship offer from NVC Group at Riverside Gardens.

Kylie, a passionate staff member from NVC Group, highlighted the significance of early exposure to industry realities. The college’s partnerships with industry players, including NVC Group, allowed students like Victoria to explore their interests and make informed career decisions.

Career Doors Open with Collaboration

Further insights came from discussions with Victoria’s prospective employer at Riverside Gardens. During a speed interview, the employer admired Victoria’s eagerness to learn and emphasized the comprehensive support network at Riverside Gardens. This resulted in Victoria being offered a Traineeship in her dream career. The collaboration extended beyond job placement, encompassing ongoing support and transportation assistance.

In conclusion, Victoria’s journey illustrates the positive outcomes that result from a well-established collaboration between job service providers, training organizations, and employers. The collective effort, from skills development to job placement and ongoing support, showcases the potential for collaboration to be a driving force in transforming lives and steering individuals towards successful careers.

Working Together Gets Results

TURSA Partners with Employers, and local Service Provides to ensure great outcomes

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Carlene is a woman who has faced many challenges in her life. She was working in construction on the North Coast of New South Wales when she had to leave her job due to domestic violence. She decided to move to Grafton and start anew but didn’t know where to start.

Turning to TURSA for support helped Carlene Shine with Success

That’s when she turned to TURSA, a local organisation that helps people gain skills, training and support to achieve their job goals. Clint, her employment advisor, enabled her to figure out what she wanted to do and how to achieve it.

Carlene knew she wanted to go back to construction, so she started doing more training and getting more tickets. TURSA helped her with most of her tickets, including confined spaces, elevated platforms, and traffic control.
With the help of TURSA, Carlene could apply for construction jobs, and she landed a job with Ahoy Traffic. She’s now working on the bypass in Grafton, doing traffic control, and looking to do ongoing traffic control. But her ultimate goal is to be in construction.

Completed the Steps to Work Program

Carlene also went through the Steps Course, a program offered by TURSA that helps people gain confidence and rebuild their self-esteem. Again, she found the course helpful, giving her the skills and support she needed to get to where she is now.

Carlene said about her experience, “I found it really helpful with my skills, with the support that was given to me. So I reached out to that support, and I found that it really helped me to get where I am now. It gave me confidence again in myself because I lost a lot of confidence in my self-esteem, which was falling away since I moved from Coraki; when I came to Grafton, re-engaged with TURSA, and when did the Steps program, it rebuilt my confidence back up and got me to where I am now.”

Gain the Skills & Confidence You Need!

Carlene's story is a testament to the importance of organisations like TURSA, which support people who need it the most. Through their work, they help people like Carlene gain the skills and confidence they need to achieve their goals and build a better life for themselves.

Individualised Service

Meet Kathy, a finance officer at Many Rivers Regional Housing

Kathy explains how she has taken on an unexpected challenge and enjoys it. “I never thought I would be doing finance work, but here I am, and I’m enjoying it,” she tells me with a bright smile.

But Kathy’s journey to this point was a full one. “Although I was unemployed for a long time, since 2011, I was busy,” she reveals. After having her son, Kathy stepped into community work for ten years, helping revive the Aboriginal community’s language and cultural practices in the area. However, when her husband’s health worsened, she had to switch roles and get back into the workforce quickly.

Finding the right support was key

Unfortunately, her previous job agency didn’t deliver the cultural support Kathy needed, which made the transition challenging. “It was saddening,” she admits. But Kathy didn’t give up. She reached out for help and found Leslie Williams, who assisted with the community work. Kathy then connected with TURSA. Kathy said she “Found a supportive agency in TURSA“. Helping her put her volunteer hours towards her employment commitments and even assisting her secure work within the Aboriginal community again.

Focusing on two key areas TURSA was able to assist with individualised support for Kathy to build her confidence needed and provided cultural alignment to her job goals.

Life has improved

Since joining Many Rivers Regional Housing, Kathy’s life has improved. She can now support her kids in more ways, both financially and educationally. Plus, living in a rural area, having a reliable car is essential, and her job has helped her and her family through some tough times.
Through it all, Kathy’s positive attitude and determination have shone through. She’s taken on a new challenge and is thriving, proving that it’s never too late to try something new and make a positive change in your life.

About Port Macquarie – New South Wales

Port Macquarie is a charming coastal town located in the mid-north coast region of New South Wales, Australia. It’s a popular destination for tourists, offering a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.

Beaches are one of the main draws of Port Macquarie, and there are plenty of them to choose from. Some of the most popular beaches include Town Beach, Flynn’s Beach, Lighthouse Beach, and Shelly Beach. Each one offers a unique experience, from surfing and swimming to relaxing in the sun.

You can step into the TURSA office conveniently located at Palm Court, Shop 1/14 Short St, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 T: (02) 6583 5799