Competitive in the job market

ETC helps Kirk become more competitive in the job market and secure employment

Kirk Burrows is a 57 year-old English man who had struggled to find ongoing sustainable work.

“It’s very depressing. You’re literally living day-to-day. I don’t do drugs or alcohol and a lot of the time I just feel worthless. People at my age, we’ve done a lot in our lives. We’ve got a lot to offer,” he said.

Since immigrating to Australia 13 years ago, Kirk has been employed primarily as a Courier and a Traffic Controller.

A serious road accident in 2009 and a marriage breakdown impacted his ability to secure work over the past two years.

Kirk said it got to a point where he would relocate from his current home town of Grafton to find work, but he wasn’t sure that would help.

“I’m not a young fella anymore. I’ve applied for jobs in Sydney and Newcastle and if I had to move for work I would. If I could handle the job physically I would do it.”

“I’ve applied for literally hundreds of jobs ranging from security, driving, traffic controlling, working in a laundromat, painting etc.”

As Kirk’s employment services provider ETC has helped him financially with gaining industry accredited certificates, re-training and by putting him through resilience and job search workshops.

Kirk was referred to ETC’s Career Transition Assistance (CTA) Program, which is funded by the Australian Government, and designed to help mature aged job seekers build their skills and confidence to become more competitive in the job market.

“At ETC we understand that adults come with real-life experiences. Therefore our focus is to empower individuals to grow and develop through our interactive and supportive CTA Program,” said ETC Training Advisor David Parkes.

ETC’s Team Leader Rod Cannon said during the CTA program, ETC hosted an information day with ISS Facility Services who were looking for new recruits.

“Kirk attended the information session and with the assistance of our team put together a job application and applied for the necessary work checks,” Mr Cannon said.

“We were so thrilled for Kirk when he was successful in securing the job with ISS Facility Services and has been working with them since 6 April 2020. Plus we were able to provide this employer with a Restart Wage Subsidy to assist in the costs of hiring Kirk.”

Kirk said he was so pleased to now be working.

“I’m eternally grateful for ETC’s help and love my job,” Kirk said.

Career Transition Assistance

ETC’s CTA Program includes:

• Personalised career assistance to help you prepare your resume, job applications and cover letters based on your skills, strengths and experiences
• Increase your motivation and resilience in looking for work
• A focus on digital technology such as smartphones, tablets, Apps, social media and computers to help boost your IT knowledge and skills and expand your job prospects

Find out more here >>