Customer Success: Shaun’s Story

The Workways employment experience is anchored by an individualised approach that identifies customers’ barriers and connects them with services to overcome those barriers.   Shaun’s Workways experience powerfully demonstrates the importance of addressing barriers on the path to employment success.

After losing his job, Shaun began to experience significant depression, impacting his confidence and self-esteem. Unfamiliar with job providers, lacking skills in resume writing, and battling poor mental health proved to be significant hurdles in his search for a job. Shaun’s Workways employment coach identified a number of support services and programs that would help Shaun overcome these barriers, and prepare him for suitable and meaningful work.

When Back2Work was suggested to support Shaun’s mental health needs, he was initially skeptical. He perceived counselling as unnecessary and doubted its potential to help him. Despite this initial doubt, Shaun eventually agreed to attend counselling through Back2work. This decision surprised his employment coach and even shocked his wife, marking the beginning of a significant turnaround. With encouragement and support, Shaun made substantial progress, becoming more open and communicative.

This breakthrough was crucial in rebuilding his confidence. During a confidence-building workshop, Shaun rediscovered his love for tinkering with old mowers, a passion he hadn’t fully recognized before. This newfound direction provided him with motivation and a sense of purpose. A job opportunity became available delivering repaired mowers. This role perfectly matched Shaun’s mechanical skills and newfound interests. With the support of his network, Shaun applied online for the job, resulting in a successful work trial and permanent employment.

Shaun’s success highlights the importance of addressing and overcoming barriers in order to become ready for work. The encouragement and assistance of Workways, Back2work, and friends and family were instrumental in his journey to employment. His journey from depression to employment is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of finding and following one’s passions.