“I encourage everyone, but especially my mob, to keep trying.” Bill’s story

Taking part in the Diversity Dimensions Transition to Employment program has proved worthwhile for Chermside Indigenous job seeker, Bill. He has celebrated six months with the local PepsiCo team as a Process Worker for Smiths Chips.

A whole lot of skills

Bill was working in Papa New Guinea in the underground mines. He had yard management, explosives, machine and locomotive operations experience. But after arriving in Australia, he discovered he didn’t have the right licences to continue working in that industry.

“I wanted to continue that type of work but the licences were too expensive,” Bill said.

Bill found a job as a Dispatch Officer with a window and door manufacturer but was let go during lockdown.

“It was hard to find work again,” Bill said. “There were a lot of people out of work, and businesses just weren’t hiring.”

Bill met with MatchWorks Indigenous Liaison Officer, Glen Duncan who helped him to figure out his next steps. Then Glen teamed up with MatchWorks Employment Consultant Paula Hall and MatchWorks Business Development Consultant, Phoebe Iriman to:
• Support Bill to undertake casual work.
• Enroll Bill in the Wambinya Goal Setting and Mentoring program.
• Assist with resume and interview preparation.
• Provide travel and transport assistance.

“The program was good, and I had a few interviews from it but I couldn’t get a steady job,” Bill said. “Then I completed the Diversity Dimensions Transition to Employment program, which was similar in many ways but this time I landed an interview and trial with PepsiCo.”

An environment to thrive


Bill can provide for his family now that he has a permanent job at Pepsico – ” I’m really happy with my job,” he said.

Bill was successful in landing a permanent part-time position with PepsiCo, with training to build up his forklift experience.

“I’ve never worked anywhere like this,” Bill said.

“The team here are supportive and friendly, and the onsite training is fantastic. I started here picking orders, then moved to pallet running and now I’m experienced on the high reach fork. They provide all my work clothing and it’s a safety conscious environment which is good. I have access to counselling and physiotherapy services at work if I need them, and the onsite gym is great.

“Now I have regular hours and a regular income. It’s better than being unemployed and waiting for Centrelink, filling in forms. I’m happy I’m busy and I can provide for my family. I want to save some money, take things slow and do some courses that expand on my experience and give me opportunities in the long-term. I’m really happy with my job.

“I encourage everyone, but especially my mob, to keep trying so they can support themselves and their family. It comes down to you. If you push yourself and look harder you’ll find a job, if you’re not committed then you won’t. With the right attitude a job will come.”

Find out more about MatchWorks employment services for job seekers and businesses, or call 1300 13 23 63 to chat to your local team.

It’s Reconciliation Week

It’s Reconciliation Week 27 May to 3 June, a time to reflect and take action for a just, equitable and reconciled country. In the spirit of reconciliation, MatchWorks acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.