Wrong Stop, Right Direction:
How a bus ride changed everything!
Abby was referred to Smart Waikato’s SPAN Boost programme after an unpleasant experience in her last role knocked her confidence and left her feeling anxious. This resulted in a period of long-term unemployment. The SPAN Boost programme was a chance for Abby to break down these barriers, rebuild her confidence and return to the workforce stronger than before.
Abby’s prior experience consisted of retail and a bit of after school childcare, but she was unsure which direction she wanted to take as a next step.
Abby only had a learner license so needed to sort out transport to be able to get to appointments. Due to a lack of experience, she was anxious about riding the bus (as anyone would be) but she knew this was something she needed to overcome. Her Career Coach took her on a “bus adventure”, where they spent time figuring out which routes she would take.
They missed a couple of buses and didn’t know where to get off resulting in a longer walk home – all while chatting about her job search as a distraction. Through this experience Abby picked up the know-how of “catching the bus” and felt confident she could do it.
Abby knew getting her restricted licence was something she needed to do. Her coaches provided her with access to lessons which, combined with her time spent behind the wheel over Christmas, meant she successfully passed her test!
Over their time getting to know Abby, the coaches helped her assess what options she had for work. They also spent time identifying her personal strengths, which in turn showed her she had what it took to be successful in the workplace.
The coaches quickly saw one of her greatest strengths was her compassion.
After she missed out on getting a position at a library, they decided to put her forward to interview for a Learning Support Assistant role at a local school, where she would spend the day working with children with intellectual disabilities. Abby’s newfound confidence allowed her to shine in her interview and land the job!
Referring to her Career Coaches she said “I’m really grateful for you guys!!I definitely wouldn’t have found this job without you.”
Abby absolutely fell in love with her new job, working to support the young children. She has become an integral part of the school, as well as the children’s lives.
“Things are going good with Abby. She is a bright ray of sunshine,” said the Deputy Principal.
Abby’s journey is an excellent example of the benefits of one-on-one coaching. Taking the time to address barriers to employment and acknowledge her strengths allowed Abby to regain confidence in her ability to excel in the workforce. And she has found the success she deserves.
*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect client’s privacy. All other details are their true story.