Nineteen-year old Nick Webster is a young man with a clear career focus already! He loves all things IT, from repairing computers, to computer networking, and he has goals to study for IT qualifications and eventually run his own business.
But he knows there are a few areas where he’ll need a little extra support to achieve his goals.
That’s where his NDIS-funded School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) with Blue Tongue Pathways come in.
First Steps on the Pathway
Working closely with Nick, Blue Tongue Pathways Coordinator Christina Renata has found a supportive work experience environment where he can develop the particular skills he needs around routines, organisation and time management. That has led to him taking his first steps at All Styles Gym Toowoomba.
“It’s helping me understand health, and getting into the routine of working, and the mindset of how much I can do before burnout. It’s a ground point of where to start,” Nick explains.
He attends each Tuesday, and has a regular list of tasks to complete, including cleaning and preparing equipment and organising the space.
“I like to challenge myself. It used to take me an hour, but now it only takes me 30 minutes to complete the entire gym,” Nick says proudly.
“It’s challenging, but it’s good. I appreciate the routine, and I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do anymore, I know what I have to do to get all my work done.”
Progress in a Supportive Space
Christina says the gym is a wonderfully inclusive environment for Nick to develop his workplace skills.
“Michael, who runs the gym, is actually legally blind. So, it’s been good for Nick to see that your disability doesn’t have to define you. And Nick can feel comfortable here wearing his headphones for sensory comfort while he works,” she says.
“Michael’s really fun,” Nick says. “He can be a bit strict, but that’s good for me with routines, as I can get a bit distracted.”
With Nick making such strong progress, Christina is now investigating IT-related placements for him.
“It’s important for our SLES participants to try different things,” she says. “I find they’ll either love the options, or hate them – but it’s good to try and know for sure.”
Nick is also working steadily through small-group work at Blue Tongue Pathways, developing life and job skills.
“Before SLES I had no idea how to do an interview, build a resume, or how to keep a routine or schedule. Now I’ve learned about time management, money management, and organisational skills. It’s fun too; we role play job interviews, and practice money management with Monopoly,” he smiles.
“I’ve also made flow sheets for how to get my CCNA, which is a type of certificate in networking and IT,” Nick explains.
“SLES has really helped with finding my direction.”
