What fills our team with pride? Undoubtedly, it’s witnessing our clients accomplish their goals.

This month, our NSW team successfully concluded another Connecting Women to Trades program, tailored to 11 First Nation Women at the AMES Australia Site in Blacktown.

One of the highlights was seeing one of the participants secure employment before the program ended.

Michelle Patterson, one of our dedicated Career Development Consultants in NSW, collaborated with Real Futures and our First Nations Advisor, Bobbie Lyons, to deliver this impactful program.

Throughout the week-long program, participants actively engaged in workshops designed to enhance their soft skills, employability skills, mindset, and confidence.

“On day 3, we had the privilege of hosting various employers who provided valuable insights into their organizations and the current opportunities available,” said Gemma O’Sullivan, our Programs Manager in NSW and ACT.

“We are delighted to share that several participants have already taken the initiative to apply for roles, and we will be working closely with employers to follow up in the coming weeks.”

The next day, we took the women to Dress for Success at Summer Hill, where they received support in preparing for interviews. “This is where I witnessed the most significant growth in confidence among these incredible women. Each one left with radiant smiles, feeling like a million dollars,” said Michelle.

To conclude the program, we organised a taster session in partnership with Productivity Bootcamp at Penrith. This session provided critical information on safety, offered hands-on experience in trades and allowed the participants to celebrate their achievements over a shared lunch.

The day became even more special when one of the participants was offered a position at CDC St Marys to pursue a heavy vehicle mechanic Apprenticeship. Before the bootcamp, she attended an interview and left a lasting impression on the company, leading to her successful hiring as an Apprentice.

Although the program has officially ended, Michelle will continue working with the participants in the coming months to provide ongoing support in their journey towards achieving their goals.

Learn more about our Connecting Women to Trades Program.