The AMES Australia employment team at Epping have used a client jobseeker’s own determination and commitment to support her on a transformative and ultimately successful employment journey.
Forty-one-year-old Lina Handulla enrolled in and completed an Early Childhood Certificate III course. Obtaining the certificate was a significant milestone in her journey.
With help from her AMES Employment Mentor Supriya Verma, Lina's resume was updated and adjusted to suit current job opportunities and even though she faced some early hurdles, such as a language barrier, Supriya stuck with Lina, offering constant support and guidance.
With a passion for early childhood education, Lina was very keen to pursue a career in the field.
Through collaborative efforts on the part of Supriya and AMES Employer Engagement Specialist, Prasant Modi, and the use of wage subsidy options, Lina secured a position as an educator at Collard Family Kindergarten in Mill Park in July 2023.
Six months into her new role, Supriya reached out to Lina to ask about her progress.
Delighted with her success, Supriya arranged a meeting with Bianca, Lina's team leader at the kindergarten.
“I was inspired by Lina's dedication and passion and by her unwavering commitment to her work,” Supriya said.
Supriya arranged a meeting with Bianca, Lina's team leader at the kindergarten and asked her about Lina’s journey.
“Right from the start, Lina was incredibly welcoming and displayed a strong eagerness to learn. She picked things up very quickly, and I've noticed significant improvement in her work,” Bianca said.
Asked about specific challenges and goals collaborating with AMES, Bianca said: “The biggest challenge was the language barrier, especially given Lina's basic English proficiency.This raised safety concerns, particularly regarding allergies in children.
“We couldn't compromise on the children's health. Understanding safety protocols became difficult when individuals lacked language proficiency, making it challenging to hire them.”
Bianca said the overall experience of collaborating with AMES was “fantastic”.
“We haven't encountered any problems. Communication has been excellent, and we've had no concerns or reasons to be unhappy with AMES,” she said.
Bianca said she was looking forward to continue working with AMES.
“We're delighted to be partnering with AMES,” she said.
Supriya said that during their meeting, Bianca expressed her satisfaction with Lina's performance and praised her rapid learning and improvement.
“Lina's journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and the transformative power of collaborative support. With her newfound employment and the continued guidance of Job Services, Lina is poised to thrive in her career and make meaningful contributions to her community,” Supriya said.