Andrew Steel is a Melton man who is “loving” his first full-time job he found with the help of APM Employment and YMCA Rebuild.
Mr Steel, who has an intellectual disability and has found it difficult to find full time work, was referred to APM after a jarring experience with a previous employer.
APM helps people with injury, illness or disability, children and older adults, unemployed people, and those facing hardship or harm.
In January, Mr Steel was placed in full-time employment with YMCA Rebuild in Braybrook, a paid transitional program that mentors and teaches trade and employability skills while they work.
Mr Steel said the work he’s doing is “fantastic”.
“I’m big-time loving it,” he said.
“I’m out of the house, working full-time, earning money … It’s made me more free.”
Mr Steel said APM “helped a lot” in helping him find work, and that he wants other people to know they can do it too.
“If people were in my shoes, I’d say to them don’t give up, try your hardest and keep on going to find a full time job,” he said.
YMCA ReBuild case manager Micheala Ralston said in the coming months Andrew will be ready to move on to employment for one of the program’s partner organisations.
“Andrew, is a complete breath of fresh air, he brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the program – he’s gone from having no experience in trade skills whatsoever to now being trusted across multiple job sites doing landscaping and carpentry,” she said.
Me Steel’s first goal with the money he’s earning to save for a car and get his L’s.
Liam McNally
