GOOD NEWS ON WORK PLACEMENTS

We love sharing “Good news stories,” with you all, about our Smart Trade Solutions programmes, and this one is awesome. Thanks to Stephen Joe, for sharing your experiences with us…

“Hi, Rick,

This is my story that you wanted me to give.

It was 2008 and I had just left school, thinking of what I wanted to do as a career, I was interested in so many things and hobbies at the time that I couldn’t decide. So, I went into IT.

It was really good. I completed my IT Qualifications and worked for about 10 years fulfilling my dreams to become an IT Technician and Software Developer.

Then in 2020 I fell into depression and started to work on cars for a hobby as a way out. Two years have passed with it while being on the Benefit and I found that working on Cars was an enjoyment of mine while fixing them for friends and family.

That’s when it hit me that I wanted to do an apprenticeship. So, I started looking and asking around if there were any apprenticeship opportunities. Then I asked Work and Income and they set up a meeting to meet Rick. And Rick did the impossible, got me an apprenticeship role at my workplace and I couldn’t be happier. And from that day forward, I became one of the older apprentices to date.

First day at my new job, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. To my surprise. I loved it and enjoyed it. I got to work with my true passion and expand into being an apprentice learning something new every day about cars. How to full groom them to detailing them to 100% to the best of our ability. Then going into the workshop to help the others to work on cars. Using tools properly, I couldn’t be happier with the team I have, and I felt welcomed.

The rest of my days I get to spend them on either helping friends or family, to enjoying my other hobbies such as working on cars or even going out and appreciating the finer things in life such as Nature Walks, Hiking, or camping.

This has been the best decision ever made.

Thanks for listening to my story.

Stephen Joe”