Reclink Australia empowers Yarrabilba mum to transform her life
Yarrabilba mum, Josephine Mijts has forged an exciting new career path with Reclink Australia, stepping outside her comfort zone and inspiring other women to chase their dreams.
Previously working in the childcare industry, before becoming a stay-at-home-mum, Josephine said after 16 years she had lost her sense of self and was apprehensive of starting something new.
“Let me start by saying this traineeship through Reclink has changed my life. After becoming a stay-at-home-mum years ago, I lost my identity and my fear for doing anything new was at an all-time high,” said Josephine.
“I saw an ad on Facebook while looking for a traineeship for my 15-year-old nephew but then decided I liked the sound of it and put forward my expression of interest. I am now undertaking the Certificate 1 in Conservation and Eco Management Systems and hope to take on further study and employment in this field.
“This traineeship was a new beginning; I have done things I’ve never thought I would be able to. With the guidance of my amazing supervisor, Mark Perkins and the support from Project Coordinator, Rebecca Green, I’ve come out of my comfort zone and found my passion for being outdoors, overcame my fear of heights and the biggest, is not thinking I can’t do it.”
Reclink Australia’s Pathways to Employment delivers a local program at Yarrabilba’s Sports and Community Hub on Shaw St, providing opportunities for people facing disadvantage including long-term unemployed members of the community to enter or re-enter the workforce.
Reclink Project Coordinator, Rebecca Green said unemployment can have a compounding effect on other aspects of a person’s life including their mental health, create social isolation and homelessness.
“Reclink Australia believes in the power of opening doors to employment and careers for people in our community doing it tough. Whether it be mentorship, education, or employment, we continue to grow the range of opportunities available to participants,” said Rebecca.
“In Queensland, Reclink Australia delivers Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) projects across Logan, Caboolture, and Bundaberg, funded by the Queensland State Government. Our SQW programs provide opportunities for diverse groups of people who have experienced significant personal or educational disadvantage to gain a nationally-recognised qualification and relevant work experience via a paid 6-month traineeship.
“We had a couple of Information Sessions at the Exchange Yarrabilba. Kahla Smith and I teamed up to promote the Information Sessions being delivered. We had a fantastic turn out and 14 participants were offered positions in the Traineeship. The fantastic collaboration and support for the Yarrabilba community is most certainly strong. The positive impact these Traineeships have on the individual but also the community is astounding.”
Currently Reclink Australia is offering Certificate 1 in Construction and Certificate 1 in Conservation and Eco Management System.
The next round of Traineeships is set to kick off in January 2023.
The Reclink training is proudly funded by the Queensland Government through its Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
About Reclink
Reclink Australia provides evidence-based sport and recreation programs to disadvantaged Australians to create socially inclusive, life-changing opportunities. In partnership with more than 500 community organisations, Reclink Australia's programs create pathways to improved health and wellbeing, education and employment outcomes for all participants.
For information on Reclink’s next round of traineeships contact Rebecca at: Rebecca.green@reclink.org