When Lana joined Global Skills Lake Haven in 2022, she was seeking support to navigate a dramatically changed job search landscape since looking for work as a teenager. Reflecting on her experience, Lana shared, “I have been raising my family since 2009 and haven’t job searched for quite some time. I was nervous but more than that, I wasn’t sure about what to do next. The job search process has changed so much since I was a teenager. There are so many more steps now, and a lot of it is online. For instance, applying for my current job involved a video interview via Teams, which was a first for me. We didn’t have Teams when I was 16.”

Lana was connected with her Global Skills Employment Consultant, Racheal who helped her navigate the ever-evolving job search environment. She also supported Lana to identify and build on the many transferable skills she developed as a parent, including obtaining a First Aid and CPR Certificate. Lana shared, “Racheal has been incredibly supportive throughout my job search. I love that I can talk to her, she’s always so encouraging.”

Racheal encouraged Lana to participate in the Work for the Dole program at Vinnies Wyong to gain some current work experience and build her confidence. Lana enjoyed it so much that she completed a second placement at Vinnies Budgewoi. She shared, “I loved working at Vinnies and feel it helped me build my physical strength and confidence. I particularly enjoyed chatting with the staff and serving customers, especially the older customers. I love talking to and spending time with older people.”

Towards the second end of Lana’s 8-week placement, Racheal connected her with a job opportunity through one of our employers, Residenz. The position was for a Home Care Domestic Assistant and with her affinity to work with older people, her experience as a mother, her new customer service skills and her First Aid and CPR Certificates, Lana was perfect for the job. She started her new role in July.

Lana shared, “A lot of tasks I do in my new role is similar to what I would do at home caring for a family, just for a different age group. I love chatting with my clients while I work, I really enjoy the conversations and the stories. It feels great knowing I’m making a difference in their lives. With my first aid and CPR training, I feel confident that I can respond effectively if needed. Plus, it’s wonderful to have an additional source of income to support my family. I’ve moved from raising children to being out of the house every day. I’m busier, that’s for sure.”

Congratulations Lana from the entire team at Global Skills and thank you for sharing your story.