Thomas’s Journey: Building Confidence, Skills and a Bright Future
When Thomas first came to MatchWorks, he arrived with his mum by his side quiet, thoughtful, and determined to find meaningful work. Although reserved, there was a spark of motivation in him, a clear desire to take that next step toward independence. With the right support and encouragement, that spark quickly began to grow.
Together with DES Employment Consultant Corinne and Employer Engagement Partner Priyanka, Thomas set out on a plan designed around his strengths, interests, and goals. The first milestone was a big one building the confidence to attend appointments on his own.
From there, Thomas continued to push himself forward. He joined MatchWorks trainer Dave Devlin for a four-day Employability Skills course, arriving prepared, punctual, and eager to learn. His commitment and enthusiasm showed just how ready he was to take on new challenges.
With Corinne’s ongoing encouragement, Thomas reached another personal milestone earning his driver’s licence. That achievement opened up new opportunities and gave him the freedom to explore the world of work more fully.
To build real-world experience, Thomas began volunteering with Vinnies. At first, he worked quietly behind the scenes sorting donations. But as his confidence grew, so did his responsibilities soon he was greeting customers at the front counter and managing point-of-sale tasks.
“One of my proudest moments was when I volunteered at the CEO Winter Sleepout event, cooking sausages and engaging with the community,” Thomas shared.
Corinne continued to support Thomas in creative ways, including walking appointments using the time outdoors to talk through his goals, progress, and any challenges. During one of those walks, they discussed a warehousing role at Vinnies that sparked Thomas’s interest. There was just one barrier: he needed a forklift licence.
Never one to give up, Thomas took on the challenge. With Corinne’s support, he completed a two-day forklift course and earned his licence. From there, Priyanka worked with him helping connect him to the right employer.
Not long after, Thomas was invited to interview with a local business. With preparation and encouragement from the MatchWorks team, he walked into that interview with quiet confidence and just days later, received a job offer.
It was a proud, well-deserved moment that marked how far Thomas had come from shy and uncertain to confident, skilled, and employed.
Today, Thomas continues to volunteer with Vinnies alongside his new role, enjoying both the independence and community connection his journey has brought him.
Congratulations, Thomas your determination and resilience are truly inspiring. MatchWorks is proud to have been part of your journey toward a bright and rewarding future.
Learn more about how MatchWorks support job seekers to find and keep meaningful employment on the Job Seekers page.
