MatchWorks exels at employment awards
17 August 2011
MatchWorks excels at employment awards
Former MatchWorks jobseeker Michael Ashman and Employment Consultant Patrice Serong were finalists in the prestigious National Employment Awards for Excellence this month with Michael winning the Achiever of the Year Award.
The National Employment Awards for Excellence are hosted by the National Employment Services Association (NESA) and are in their seventh year.
Michael was presented with his award by The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Employment Participation in Brisbane.
Michael, from Geelong, was nominated following his amazing life transformation, where he lived with substance abuse in the home since he was a child.
“One of my earliest memories was using syringes as water pistols as a kid.,” Michael said.
“I first started smoking Marijuana when I was 13.”
Soon after, Michael’s life spiralled out of control.
He became addicted to heroin and amphetamines, was unable to hold down steady employment and was, at times, homeless.
It wasn’t until 2009, at the age of 38, when Michael sought help from MatchWorks in Geelong that he truly turned his life around with a clear vision of what he wanted to do.
With the help of the team at MatchWorks, Michael’s focus was to complete his training as an Alcohol and Other Drugs Support Worker.
He now uses his personal experiences to help people facing similar challenges.
Michael has excelled and was recently promoted to Lead Case Worker, supervising other case workers whilst maintaining a hands-on role.
“I am lucky enough to be doing a job I enjoy and am very passionate about,” Michael said.
“It all came down to compassion, empathy and support which I was shown by Marnie Stephens, my employment consultant, and the team at MatchWorks. I will always be very thankful.”
Marnie particularly remembers Michael’s determination and sense of purpose and was excited to support him in his goal.
“I hadn’t seen this in him before. He was a man on a mission. I remember him saying to me that he’d decided that was it - he was never doing it again,” she said.
Today, Michael is clean, employed full-time and a proud, active father of three children. He has a stable home for his family, and has also attained a Certificate IV in Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs. Last year he was named Karingal’s Achiever of the Year.
“I feel very useful and a productive part of society today, which I never thought would happen.”
MatchWorks Epping Employment Consultant Patrice Serong’s dedication to helping others has led to her being announced as one of four finalists in a prestigious National Employment Award for Excellence.
Patrice is dedicated to finding jobs for disadvantaged Epping residents who are unemployed.
She was honoured to be nationally recognised as a finalist in the National Employment Services Association Australian Employment Consultant of the Year award.
The winners were announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane on August 9.
With almost 20 years of management experience, Patrice has become an expert in balancing
the needs of job seekers with the business needs of employers.
Her personal challenges and professional experience combine to allow her to span the gap between employer and job seeker.
Joining MatchWorks just four years ago, Patrice takes pride in finding work for as many people as possible and then offering post-placement support.
“I appreciate and understand that many of the clients I work with have real difficulty applying themselves to employment: many struggle with the routine, aren’t sure how to behave in a work environment, and have never worked before,” she said.
“I also provide extensive support to the employers, to make sure that everything is OK from their perspective, and work to address any problems before they become major issues.