Changing careers after injury

Imagine having a workplace accident or injury which means you can no longer continue working in your trade and have to change careers.

Plasterer William Jago fell four foot and broke both his elbows and a knee in the peak of his career. A long road to recovery saw him on Workers Compensation for six years before he was able to return to work.

“To this day I still can’t straighten my arm out fully. I’ve been operated on a couple of times and they won’t give me a new elbow until I’m 65,” William said.

“So I have to be really careful about what I do. I couldn’t continue with plastering because when I carry something heavy and release the pressure I get intense pain.

“I don’t like to say I’m disabled, but it has restricted what I can and can’t do.”

Despite having a passion for plastering, William knew deep down that he had to change careers.

“I went kicking and screaming. I loved plastering – as they say, if you love your job, you never work a day in your life. But I know I’m not a young man anymore and need to look to the future. I don’t want to be 70 and still doing that with aches and pains,” he said.

William connected with our Disability Employment Services (DES) to support him in re-entering the workforce.

“William came to us as a highly motivated participant eager to find work within his abilities. Being mindful of limited strength and movement in his left arm, ETC and William were immediately on the hunt to find suitable and sustainable employment,” said ETC DES Team Leader Dana Radandt.

“With a goal of Traffic Control in mind, an ever-positive attitude, an updated Resume and job search skills in hand – ETC worked with William to retrain by funding a Traffic Control, Workers on Foot, Forklift and White Card training to ready him for employment. After only two months, William commenced employment with Evolution Traffic Control.

“ETC has received excellent feedback from his new employer and has been able to maintain his benchmark hours after 6 months of employment.”

William said his experience with ETC had always been positive and helpful.

“Dana has an exceptionally positive outlook on life and that reflects in the work that she does and the support she is able to provide,” he said.

“ETC even supported me after I was employed – they gave me the Personal Protective Equipment and tools needed to work in my new job.”

William’s journey is a wonderful example of how ETC’s Disability Employment Services (DES) can support participants to retrain and change careers after workplace injuries.

If you have an injury, illness or disability and need support to enter or return to the workforce – ETC can help you!

Reach out to our friendly team on 1800 007 400 or follow this link for more information >> https://etcltd.com.au/des/