Re-entering the workforce

Getting back to work after a long break can be challenging. Samantha Russell had fifteen years away from employment as a single mother, as she provided an upbringing for her son.

During this time Samantha was keen to keep her skills up to date so she commenced several TAFE courses that were teaching computer skills in web site development and courses in writing APT programs.

These courses, although interesting, weren’t giving Samantha that all important ‘work experience’ she needed to have to enable employment.

Whilst working as a volunteer at the Manjimup Community Resource Centre (CRC) she applied for a traineeship with Bridgetown CRC.

Samantha, Sam, commenced a 12-month traineeship in Business Administration with the Bridgetown CRC in February 2023.

Sam’s traineeship will finish this February, which is only a few weeks away now, and Sam explains how she has benefited from the traineeship. “Firstly, long-term unemployment can wreak havoc on your sense of self-worth and wellbeing.

“As a mature trainee I was bringing a lot of life skills to the job, but I didn’t know if I could work anymore than fifteen hours a week, or if I could even sit or stand the entire day for a day’s work.

“I expressed my concerns when being interviewed, I found the CRC very accommodating to my concern, I was told, ‘We will work with you to allay your concerns.’

“I was mentored well by John Nicholas, Fiona Ward and more recently by the new manager Jane Wittenoom.

“As my experience and confidence grew, a rapport developed with many of the CRC clients, several now ask for me by name to help them with their difficulties.

“I have really enjoyed, and have had sole responsibility for Silver Surfers program, which is the seniors’ IT group.

“It is a social group as much as it is a computer course. Seniors in our community have a lot of trust with those they deal with, so when they get an email or phone call which threatens to disconnect their phone or email if they don’t pay this invoice straight away, they fear that they are in the wrong.

“I am convincing them to not trust all the emails or phone calls they receive, politely thank the sender or caller and to do a little checking with the provider themselves first. Not to pay first.

“Seniors have a lot more to lose than most, their nest egg which the scammers want a slice of, is not so easily replenished at their age.

“During the twelve months of my traineeship I have also completed a Certificate III in Business Administration.”

Sam has benefited greatly from her traineeship, finding meaningful and sustainable roles in which she thrived, with the CRC receiving positive feedback from those Sam has assisted.

Over her traineeship her ability and confidence has blossomed to the point where she now easily performs her role at work, she will surely be missed at the CRC when her traineeship finishes.

The Bridgetown CRC has been offering traineeships for a number of years. With all of its recent trainees they have found employment or have entered into further education on completion of the traineeship.