In the lead up to Christmas last year, Shane found his footing into employment with Kmart through support provided by Ability Options, a leading disability and employment services provider in NSW.
Shane came to Ability Options in 2021 as a participant of our Disability Employment Services, delivered in partnership with CoAct.
After a year away from full-time employment, Shane shares he was eager to re-enter the workforce but faced challenges with social anxiety.
“The thought of that first day was daunting,” Shane says, “But with Ability Options supporting me, I found the courage to take that step.”
“I am very happy to be in employment, as I have built up my self-esteem, confidence, and am working towards goals that I never thought I would achieve, like going into a leadership role.”
Since starting at Kmart, Shane has noticed significant improvements in his interpersonal skills and confidence.
“I’m now able to interact with customers and colleagues without feeling overwhelmed,” he says proudly.
“It’s like I’ve rediscovered a part of myself.”
Working with Kmart has also supported Shane to establish a much-needed routine.
“It’s getting me back into the daily grind, which is great for my personal goals,” he explains.
“Though it can be challenging with variable hours, especially when scheduling visits with my kids, it’s providing me with a real sense of stability.”
Kmart has proven to be an ideal fit for Shane. He speaks highly of his manager, Johnathan, praising his genuine drive for his employees’ wellbeing.
“Johnathan always puts our safety first, but he also truly cares about us as individuals,” Shane says.
Shane’s enthusiasm for his new role is palpable: “I would stay at Kmart – I love it.”
Looking to the future, he sees this job as a stepping stone to long-term employment stability.
Shane’s advice for others seeking employment is to persevere.
“What’s tough is if you’ve been out of work for a long time, you might think you’re not worthy. But you are, and employers are worthy of your skills too,” he says.
“I learned that listening to my self-doubt wasn’t helping. Take advice from those who are around you and supporting you.”
At the heart of Shane’s success is the strong partnership between Ability Options and Kmart.
Employer Account Manager Lea played a key role in connecting Shane with this promising position at Kmart. Through diligent work in fostering this relationship, Lea identified the perfect opportunity for Shane.
“Seeing Shane overcome his initial anxieties and thrive in his role has been incredibly rewarding,” Lea says.
“Shane’s success not only highlights the effectiveness of our partnership with Kmart but also demonstrates the untapped potential in many of the job seekers we work with. His story is an inspiration and a reminder of why we do what we do at Ability Options.”
Ability Options’ employment services teams ran our second “Jobs for Christmas” campaign at the tail end of 2024, supporting over 320 people like Shane into employment between 1 November and 25 December.
Shane’s journey is a powerful reminder of how tailored support into employment can help you achieve your goals. With our partnership with CoAct Employment, we’re here to provide the guidance and support you need in your journey to employment. If you’d like to learn more about how our friendly employment services team can assist you, call us today at 1300 422 454 or click here to get started.
