From ambition to employment

Nicole came to Northcott as a shy, nervous 19-year-old. She wasn’t sure where to start or how to find a job, but she knew she needed guidance. With Northcott’s support, Nicole achieved her goal of employment, gaining confidence and so much more along the way.

In 2020, Nicole joined Northcott’s Work & Study service in Casula. She wanted to learn how to apply for jobs, be successful at interviews and develop skills that would make her stand out to employers.

Through Northcott’s group sessions, Nicole learned valuable skills, especially in applying for jobs and customer service, gaining confidence to apply for work.

Unfortunately, however, securing a job was tough. Despite feeling discouraged Nicole stayed motivated, thanks to the support she received from her Northcott support workers. Every success, from completing her Certificate III in Beauty Services at TAFE to completing work experience at Bunnings, added to Nicole’s growing confidence.

For Nicole, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome was the thought of applying for jobs and handing in her resume in person. Although she had applied for many roles online, she didn’t have the courage to deliver her resume face-to-face. With the encouragement of her support worker, Alexis Greenwood, Nicole gained the confidence to do just that at ABCOE, a grocery store in the same shopping precinct as the Northcott centre. When she got the call for an interview with ABCOE, Nicole couldn’t believe her luck. All the practice sessions with Alexis had paid off, giving her the confidence she needed to succeed in the interview.

Nicole is loving her retail job at ABCOE in Casula.

Tailored support

After Nicole started working at ABCOE she soon realised handling money was a source of anxiety. She just couldn’t seem to get the hang of counting money and working out change. To ensure she could properly fulfil her work duties, Nicole asked Northcott for one-to-one support to improve her money handling skills. Through tailored support, practical exercises and patience, Nicole started to master it. She practiced with a mock cash register and used money-handling programs that helped build her confidence.

The right support and encouragement

Now, at 22, Nicole is a different person. She is happily employed at ABCOE, confidently serving customers at the register, stocking shelves, handling inventory, and even balancing the till at the end of the day. Nicole reflects on how far she’s come, remembering the shy girl who first came to Northcott. She’s proud of her achievements, especially her ability to handle money – a skill that once felt out of reach.

“I could do that with my eyes closed now,” she says.

Nicole’s support worker Alexis is delighted with Nicole’s success and new-found confidence. “One of the things that I’m proud of is to see that confidence come through every time Nicole is at work. You can see that she’s incredibly sure of herself, she knows what she’s doing, and if she doesn’t know what she’s doing, she’s not afraid to go and ask for help, which is an important skill to have,” they say.

Nicole’s success shows what can happen when someone is given the right support and encouragement. Northcott helped Nicole transform from a nervous teenager into a confident, capable young woman. Today, Nicole has a job she loves and the confidence to live the life she chooses. Her message to others who feel unsure about their path is clear: “Northcott is the best place you can go to get help. They’ll support you in finding a job and gaining the experience you need. They’ll help you become the person you want to be.”