btg today
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A comprehensive overview of who we are and what we're doing, today.TRANSCRIPT
Reference: Btg Today
Last Updated: 27/11/2013 11:16 AM
BTG Today
27 November 2013
Our Vision
Empowering people, building communities
Our Mission
To bridge the gap and build communities by
empowering disadvantaged and
disenfranchised individuals to build their self
sufficiency through social inclusion, practical
training and enhanced employment
opportunities.
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Our Vision, Mission & Values .................................................................................................................. 4
Our Vision ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
Our Mission ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Elevator Pitch: ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Our Values ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
About BTG ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
What we do ................................................................................................................................................... 5
How we work ................................................................................................................................................. 5
Our Board ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Evan Parker Chairman ...................................................................................................................................................................6
Wayne Milnes Deputy Chair...........................................................................................................................................................6
Brad Dean Treasurer .....................................................................................................................................................................7
Colin Kerr Secretary and Chief Executive Officer ...........................................................................................................................7
Bruce Cairns Director ....................................................................................................................................................................7
Sue Slavin Director .........................................................................................................................................................................8
Allan Meney Director .....................................................................................................................................................................8
Our Management Team ......................................................................................................................... 10
Colin Kerr Chief Executive Officer ................................................................................................................................................10
Linda Colley Manager – Training & Community .........................................................................................................................10
Andy Wahid Manager – Business Development ..........................................................................................................................11
Jane McWhirter Manager – Employment Services ......................................................................................................................11
Ryan Kim Manager – Finance & Support Services ........................................................................................................................12
Peter Bird Manager - Ngulla Training & Community Centre........................................................................................................12
Our Programs and Services .................................................................................................................. 13
Academy for Community Employment ....................................................................................................... 13
ASPIRE Kwinana Families Community Partnership Project (KFCP) .............................................................. 13
Crossing Point .............................................................................................................................................. 14
Coaching Young People for Success ............................................................................................................ 14
Disability Employment Services ................................................................................................................... 15
Dismantle Bike Restoration Project ............................................................................................................. 15
FUELLS ......................................................................................................................................................... 16
Job Services Australia (JSA).......................................................................................................................... 16
Life Long Learning Centre (Training & Career Development) ..................................................................... 16
Ngage ........................................................................................................................................................... 17
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Ngulla Training & Community Centre.......................................................................................................... 17
Teen Parent’s Program ................................................................................................................................ 18
Youth Connections ...................................................................................................................................... 18
Good News Stories & Case Studies ..................................................................................................... 19
“A” ...............................................................................................................................................................................................19
“Sam” ...........................................................................................................................................................................................20
“Ashe” ..........................................................................................................................................................................................20
“Ashlee” .......................................................................................................................................................................................21
Office Locations ........................................................................................................................................ 22
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Our Vision, Mission & Values
Our Vision
Empowering People, Building Communities
Our Mission
To bridge the gap and build communities by empowering disadvantaged and disenfranchised individuals to
build their self sufficiency through social inclusion, practical training and enhanced employment
opportunities.
Elevator Pitch:
Bridging the Gap empowers people to achieve their goals and contribute to their communities.
Our Values
Caring for clients, employees and communities.
Innovation welcoming, anticipating and responding creatively to change
Teamwork working cooperatively with our clients, employers, partners and communities for
the mutual benefit of all
Challenge to challenge our clients, our communities and ourselves to be the best we can be
Empowerment recognising that our strength comes from developing strength in others
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About BTG
What we do
For almost 30 years Bridging the Gap (BTG) has been firmly embedded in WA’s local communities
providing a diverse range of Federal and State funded programs to deliver employment, career
development and training services through partnerships with community based organisations across the
Perth to Peel region.
With offices in Rockingham, Kwinana, Spearwood, Wembley, Mandurah and an award winning community
nursery and training facility in Casuarina (Ngulla Training & Community Centre), BTG aims to develop and
grow people and communities by providing caring and innovative lifelong learning and development
opportunities and employment services.
Annually, over 5000 people access BTG’s range of employment and community services and BTG has a track
record of consistently achieving outcomes for our clients. With regards to our major contracts BTG is
currently in the top 10 per cent of providers nationally for JSA delivery and the only Perth based agency
awarded a five star rating from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Additionally, BTG boasts the highest commencement and outcome rates for Youth Connections delivery in
Western Australia.
How we work
The majority of BTG’s clients are referred to our services through Centrelink and other Government
agencies and contacts. In addition, BTG promote a strong community presence and continually engage the
youth and community members in the areas in which we operate through a variety of activities. For
example, our Mobile Careers Bus is a state of the art mobile facility providing clients with access to the
latest career development software and online career support for metropolitan and regional high schools,
job services providers, youth agencies, businesses and industry.
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Our Board
Evan Parker Chairman
Evan was elected to the position of Chairman at the 2012 Annual General Meeting on October 15th, having served as Vice Chair from October 2010-2011. He is an Accountant and consultant in Finance, Training and Employment to State and Local Government clients. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UWA; is a Fellow of CPA Australia and an Associate of the Australian Institute of Management. Evan spent a decade in the Banking Industry before joining TAFE to lecture in Accounting, Commercial Law and Management and then to become an Academic Administrator in a range of city and country colleges. Evan held a variety of Senior positions in TAFE including Navy Training Manager, Director of Business Development, Chief Financial Officer and Director of IT and Business.
Wayne Milnes Deputy Chair
Wayne has a wealth o f experience in the finance and commercial sectors, having spent 30 plus years with National Australia Bank, 15 of those in the position of Commercial Business Manager. Wayne retired from the banking industry in 2009 to spend time with his lovely wife Suzanne, enjoying golf and basketball – a sport he has been dedicated to for 36 years. In 2012, Wayne re-joined the workforce on a part-time basis as a Business Agent for Harcourt Real Estate in Kwinana and is also a West Australian Consultant for Melbourne Company Mortgagee Services.
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Brad Dean Treasurer
Brad joined the board of Bridging the Gap in 2011 and is the current Treasurer and a member of the Audit & Risk committee. Living in the region for 19 years, Brad has been an active member of the community holding executive positions on The South Coast Regional Chambers of Commerce, The Rockingham Community Bank, and numerous smaller local organisations. Brad is a director of local accounting firm, BDR Business Accountants and is a current member of the CPA Australia’s –WA Public Practice Committee. Outside of work Brad is heavily involved with the Variety Bash which is an annual event which raises and distributes much needed funds for needy and disadvantaged children.
Colin Kerr Secretary and Chief Executive Officer
Colin serves as both the Secretary to the Board of Directors and the CEO of Bridging the Gap. Having worked in the community and employment sectors for many years, Colin has partnered with a number of community organisations and his passion to support young people is evidenced by the variety of initiatives he has implemented.
Bruce Cairns Director
An owner/operator with 35+ years experience in electrical contracting, Bruce also has a long history of community service, having been involved with Rotary for over 30 years. Bruce is a former President of the Roleystone Country Club and Roleystone Football Club where he lived before relocating to Rockingham with his wife Judith. Bruce previously served as Chairman for the Board from October 2010 to October 2011.
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Sue Slavin Director
Sue is delighted to share her wealth of skills and knowledge with Bridging the Gap and accepted a position on the Board in July, 2013. For nine years Sue served as the Chief Executive Officer of one of Perth’s largest public training organisations, West Coast Institute, where she was responsible for leading the repositioning of the institute from a single campus facing serious financial issues, to the thriving future focussed organisation it is today. More recently Sue opened her own Strategic Leadership Consulting and Coaching business, specialising in strategic leadership; building resilient, future focussed organisational cultures; coaching for peak performance and to achieve professional goals; developing business relationships with China; government liaison; public speaking and building effective networks. Sue is a member of the Australia China Business Council WA Executive Committee and Chair of the ACBC WA China Relationships Committee. In addition she is a board member of Workpower, former Deputy Chair of TAFE Directors Australia and a WA finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards.
Allan Meney Director
Allan Meney is an experienced Education and Curriculum Consultant and Primary and Secondary School Principal. His focus is upon the promotion of student Career Development, Personal Development, Financial Literacy and Life-long Learning Skills. This includes extensive partnerships with fellow experienced Business/Industry Leaders providing valuable learning and work experience for students. Allan was foundation Principal of Murdoch College, a private secondary school located on the Murdoch University Campus in Perth, Australia. He is a former Senior Program Officer in Career Development with the Department of Education, Western Australia, former Director of Swanleigh Residential College, Perth and was also the foundation Principal of six distinct secondary schools in British Columbia, Canada focused upon each student’s total personal development and career development skills. Allan also served as a full-time Curriculum Consultant with the British Columbia Ministry of Education. .
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Les Hayward Director
Les is a business and personal risk & wealth management specialist with over 20 year’s corporate, financial services, mortgage, risk and wealth management industry experience. Commencing his corporate career in 1991 after serving several years in the Australian Defence Force, Les has worked in various senior executive roles servicing both the private & federal government sector including Defence & Foreign government installations, HQADF, ASIO, Canberra Airport & US Embassy, as well as various national roles in strategy, business development, risk management, training & operations management. In 2005 Les commenced working in the finance sector and in 2009 decided to transition into his own Practice, establishing Prosperity Wealth Management & Niche Wealth Management - both authorised representatives of Elders Financial Planning Pty Ltd. As a Director of Prosperity & Niche Wealth Management Les and his team work intimately with private and business clients to identify and understand their business and personal financial goals and aspirations. Les’s dedication and commitment to his customers was recognised in October 2013 when he was awarded the Elders Financial Planning "Practice of the Year Award".
Cr. Richard Smith Director
The Deputy Mayor for the City of Rockingham, Councillor Richard Smith joined the Board in 2013 as the elected representative for the City of Rockingham. Richard has enjoyed three terms as Councillor representing the Baldivis Ward. He is proud to have been the City’s first Mayor from 1988 to 1991. After a 10-year break he was again elected, and now represents Baldivis. During the past 13 years he has seen a suburb take shape with the amazing growth experienced in Baldivis, bringing many new families to a formerly rural area. Richard is involved with emergency management for the City, in particular bushfire readiness.
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Our Management Team
Colin Kerr Chief Executive Officer
With almost 40 years in the Employment Services Industry in both Federal Government and community based organisations, Colin has a strong commitment to people and is committed to delivering services to the community, particularly for youth who he sees as our future. Colin joined Bridging the Gap in 1997 when there were just three staff and has successfully guided the organisation's growth to over 65 staff, delivering a diverse range of programs and services. Presently he is a Board Director of South West Corridor Employment Development Foundation, Koorliny Arts Centre and Outdoors WA.
Email: [email protected]
Linda Colley Manager – Training & Community
Emigrating from Zimbabwe in 1998 with her family, Linda joined Bridging the Gap in 2000 after undertaking a work experience opportunity. Linda’s prior experience in Africa with companies such as Barclays Bank International, Sun International and Leather Ware House have equipped her with a unique insight into different cultures - a major plus for an organisation with such a diverse clientele. During her many years with BTG, Linda has attained her Advance Diploma in Management, Diploma in Employment Services as well as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Career Development. Further to this, she has obtained qualifications in Counselling, and Management techniques. Linda’s current role as Manager of Youth and Community has further developed her multi-task skill set, most notably in the area of planning and delivery of programs where she applies her drive and initiative to get programs and ideas off the ground.
Email: [email protected]
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Andy Wahid Manager – Business Development
Andy is Bridging the Gap’s Head of Youth Development and manages the Crossing Point program. Andy has extensive experience in youth development and corporate learning and development. Prior to joining Bridging the Gap, Andy led 10-week youth leadership expeditions across the globe for UK based organisation, Raleigh International and was responsible for developing partnerships across sectors as Head of Business Development. Presently, Andy is developing Crossing Point to deliver high impact skills and aspirational development to young participants, with valuable learning and development opportunities to employees in a unique multi-faceted package.
Email: [email protected]
Jane McWhirter Manager – Employment Services
Moving to Australia over thirty years ago with her family, Jane brought with her thirteen years experience as a qualified nurse, resulting in several job offers in Australia. Jane’s additionally qualifications include a Diploma in Business Management, a Diploma in Employment Services and registration as a qualified Workplace Trainer & Assessor. “Spending five years working in the Northern Territory was the best experience of my life”, says Jane. “Learning to adapt to the vast cultural changes, not to mention the picturesque geographic scenes, was just amazing.” Almost 15 years working with Bridging The Gap/JobFutures, Jane has seen many changes particularly in the growth of the organisation. Having over 20 years experience working with the not-for-profit sector assisting both employers and unemployed people meet their recruitment needs has been a great challenge with many heartfelt “good news” stories to tell. Managing four offices from Perth to Rockingham and with over 26 staff, Jane is constantly on the road. “Maintaining a Leading JSA service for many years within the Community has seen many challenges, but the success stories is worth it all” says Jane.
Email: [email protected]
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Ryan Kim Manager – Finance & Support Services
Migrating from South Korea in 2006, Ryan volunteered for a charity card shop in Adelaide before working as an accountant for several not-for-profit organisations including a health charity, government agency and community employment service, before joining BTG in 2012. Ryan has a Master’s degree in accounting and is a member of CPA Australia. Having worked for commercial companies such as Samsung and FedEx, Ryan has over 10 years solid administration experiences from human resources management to finance. Ryan is a proud father of two children, a member of the Korean Community Church and has a strong interest in the settlement of CALD immigrants, particularly youth.
Email: [email protected]
Peter Bird Manager - Ngulla Training & Community Centre
Peter is responsible for the day to day operations of BTG’s wholesale plant propagation nursery, situated on Born Road in Casuarina. Peter has many years experience in the industry. Qualified with a Diploma in Horticulture, Certificate 3 in Conservation and Land Management and Certificate 4 in Landscape Design, Peter Bird has been project managing Ngulla Community Nursery and providing Certificate 4 level training and assessment for BTG clients for the past seven years. Peter's resume includes eight years of service as a Senior Government Officer in Disability Services Employment, with a further 24 years as an Owner/Operator of a commercial tree farm and producer of cut flowers and wildflowers for the trade. Additionally, Peter owned and operated a commercial and home landscape design and implementation service based in the south west of Western Australia, and served as a Foundation Member of both the Small Tree Growers Association and Manjimup Land Care District Council.
Email: [email protected]
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Our Programs and Services
Academy for Community Employment
Bridging the Gap are turning the tables on the traditional approach to job search to target Kwinana’s high unemployment rate in an innovative way after being granted funding by the Australian Government Department of Human Services through the Better Futures, Local Solutions initiative for its new Academy for Community Employment. The first of its kind in Western Australia, the Academy will officially launch in July, 2013 and takes a reverse approach to dealing with unemployment by specifically addressing those unemployed, job-ready candidates who face skills-based barriers to employment as well as giving jobseekers an understanding of why certain skills and behaviours are sought by employers and what employers are looking for in applications and at interviews. The Academy will support a large demographic from the Kwinana community including Year 12 graduates, teenagers and single parents, those with disabilities as well as Indigenous members of the community to fulfil the identified needs of employers. For more information contact Linda Colley or Caroline Marshall. [email protected] [email protected]
ASPIRE Kwinana Families Community
Partnership Project (KFCP)
KFCP or “Kwinana Families” assists and supports families in the Kwinana area who are facing long-term patterns of multigenerational unemployment. KFCP aims to break cyclical unemployment by providing services such as individual and family counselling, career counselling, mentoring and empowerment, reintegration of families to the local community through club and sporting activities, as well as providing access to training, short courses, work experience and local employment opportunities.
For more information contact Linda Colley or Nick Gwynn. [email protected] [email protected]
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Crossing Point
Bridging The Gap’s Crossing Point and GPS programs inspire young people from our communities to make positive changes to their lives and those around them by challenging them to be all that they can be. We aim to take each young person on a transformational journey over the course of 6-9 months that will see the development of core leadership skills which will give each participant the confidence to take control of their lives. Many of them experience socio-economic disadvantage which for some results in homelessness, unemployment and helplessness.
The risks and challenges facing young people are all too evident – drugs, alcohol, gangs, bullying, crime, early pregnancy etc, all of which can lead to increased numbers of young people drifting into lives of underachievement, disillusionment, disempowerment and antisocial behaviour. These can all have a detrimental effect not only on the individuals concerned but also on the families and communities where they live and work.
Since 2007 BTG has engaged and challenged young people to step out of their comfort zone and develop the skills and confidence to positively contribute to an inclusive society. The uniqueness of the Crossing Point comes from the combination of the different activities that creates a journey for each young person, culminating in career development, leadership skills development and volunteer work on local community projects.
For more information contact Andy Wahid [email protected]
Coaching Young People for Success
This on-one coaching and career counselling program challenges young people to become more aware of their values and aspirations and how these support the identification of future life pathways. For more information contact Linda Colley or Karen Ward [email protected] [email protected]
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Disability Employment Services
As of March 5th 2013, Bridging the Gap will offer Disability Employment Services (DES) from our office locations in Mandurah, Rockingham, Kwinana, Wembley, Spearwood, Pinjarra and Waroona. Our team of experts will provide the tools and assistance necessary for our clients to return to work and /or upskill their current employability based on an assessment of their current skills and the directions in which they wish to go. For more information contact Jane McWhirter or Kelly Tillet [email protected] [email protected]
Dismantle Bike Restoration Project
The Dismantle Bike Rescue Project is modelled on a highly successful earn-a-bike
program that operates in numerous cities through-out the world. Based on a 2
hours twice per week commitment, over a 10 week period. Students spend the first
14 hours of the program learning all aspects of bike mechanics and restoration from
highly experienced facilitators and volunteer mentors who ensure that every nut
and bolt is covered in this comprehensive course. Having learnt some amazing
bike-skills, participants will then select a donated bike and spend the remaining 6
hours of the course restoring their chosen bike to its former glory.
The Dismantle Bike Rescue Project is designed to encourage Kwinana youth to
become active members of the community while fostering values of worth in
themselves and everything around them. The project uses a hands-on approach to
bike education in addition to promoting alternative transport and recycling of
materials and offering a safe and nurturing environment for participants to
complete a Certificate I in Work Preparation.
The Dismantle Bike Project a full-circle program where students are taught theory
and hands on skills and have an opportunity to apply these skills with a tangible
reward for their efforts.
For more information contact Caroline Marshall
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FUELLS
Developed by youth workers with a myriad of experience and understanding of the often complex barriers facing our youth that prevent them from attending school, the FUELLS or Future Understanding of Education and Lifelong Learning Skills aims to provide young people with the skills, knowledge and practical experience that will enable them to reengage with educational activities.
For more information contact Nicola Squires [email protected]
Job Services Australia (JSA)
As a member of the JOBfutures National Employment Network, Bridging the Gap is contracted to deliver the Job Services Australia contract, funded through the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Both job seekers and employers alike can benefit from JSA’s highly focused service which is aims to provide a single communication point for all clients to a variety of job-related services from offices in Kwinana, Mandurah, Spearwood, Wembley and Rockingham. JSA provides flexible support to out-of-work persons to connect them with training and skill development opportunities relevant to their individual circumstances. As the only 5-star rated JSA provider in Western Australia, BTG has a proven track record of providing successful pathways for job seekers to the correct training for their chosen field to allow them to enter or return to the workforce.
For more information contact Jane McWhirter [email protected]
Life Long Learning Centre
(Training & Career Development)
BTG’s Life Long Learning Centre delivers training and career development to the wider community across all regions and Local Government Areas. Our programs support career choices and provide training suited to the needs of the individual. A comprehensive list of Accredited and Non-Accredited training courses is outlined on BTG’s website.
For more information contact Linda Colley or Karen Ward [email protected] [email protected]
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Ngage
Ngage is an alternative education program for at-risk young people who no longer fit into mainstream education. Targeted at youth aged 14-19 years, the program aims to assist students to complete a Cert I in Work Preparation whilst also building self esteem and finding direction to further study and/or employment. Additionally young people registered in this program will have an opportunity to complete a community or volunteer project as well as completing the Coaching Young People for Success career development module and a specialised computer based project which will teach them to rebuild a hard-drive and learn to create and maintain their own website whilst learning about cyber safety and precautions against online bullying. Other inclusions of the program include job-seeking skills, resume building, career development, art projects, industry speakers and excursions. For more information contact Rob Bray [email protected] Phone: (08) 9550 1111
Ngulla Training & Community Centre
Driven by a social purpose and dedicated to providing a unique, community-based working and training environment for disadvantaged people within the Kwinana community, Ngulla was established in August 2006 as an innovative horticultural-based social enterprise project that supplies native plants to industry and generates employment and work place training opportunities for local youth, job seekers and the community. Ngulla is a business driven by a social purpose and dedicated to providing unique community based work and learning environment where participants have every opportunity to realise their potential and become valid members of the community. Auspiced through BTG’s Registered Training Organisation (RTO), accredited and non accredited training is undertaken at Ngulla; Building and Construction, (non-accredited) as well as Conservation and Land Management Certificates (CaLM) I & II (accredited). CaLM courses are focused on experiential learning with written material encompassing just 25% of core learning. This approach was adopted to eliminate issues of numeracy and literacy shortfalls within the student body, which in themselves are addressed by BTG in a separate program – Language, Literacy & Numeracy (LLN). The Building and Construction component is run as part of Bridging the Gap’s Work for the Dole (WFD) work experience program. For more information contact Peter Bird [email protected] Phone: 0411 366 385.
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Teen Parent’s Program
The Teen Parents Program aims to improve secondary education and vocational training outcomes for teen parents in the Kwinana area, addressing personal barriers and tending to educational development. Safe and accessible environments are provided where the needs of their children are met and teen parents continue to enjoy direct access to their children throughout their participation in the program.
By the creation of Individual Pathway Plans (IPP’s) for each young person is transitioned to education/training or employment pathways whilst addressing health and wellbeing goals, with appropriate referrals to other services for specialist support if required.
The Teen Parents Program engages young parents in positive peer support and learning activities which enhance their longer term social and economic wellbeing and deter their involvement in anti-social behaviour including substance abuse and criminal behaviour. Young parents will receive positive parenting information and role modelling via Youth Connections and partnering agencies.
For more information contact Nicola Squires [email protected]
Youth Connections
Youth Connections offers one-on-one case management services to young people in the Rockingham, Kwinana, Mandurah and Cockburn areas to help them overcome barriers which prevent them from engaging with education. Case workers might assist a young person to reconnect with family, find a mentor or obtain assistance from other community organisations to address more serious issues such as literacy and numeracy problems, mental health, drug and alcohol addictions and abuse.
For more information contact Linda Colley [email protected]
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Good News Stories & Case Studies
*Names have been changed.
“A”
Client “A” was registered with JSA from December of 2010. He joined our Indigenous Employment Program
in February of 2011. At that time “A” was enrolled in the Challenger TAFE Leadership Certificate II being
overseen by our IEP program. We tailor made some aspirational development which included a residential
camp and started on the journey to unpack some of Client A’s personal barriers to achievement. He had
been suffering from agonising mental health issues and had never been diagnosed or medicated. He was
abusing marijuana and was disconnected from his cultural heritage and not comfortable with his Aboriginal
roots. After spending time in the Cultural Awareness Program with IEP, Client A started to recognise and
appreciate his Noongar roots and embraced the idea of being Aboriginal. His mood swings were still very
apparent and he strongly fought against counselling and medication.
“A” originally came to us as a very anxious and suicidal 18-year-old boy. He constantly threatened to
commit suicide and got in the habit of calling us at all hours during the night. His mentoring and counselling
took on an almost parental flavour.
A great deal of violence was present in “A’s” family home and his father was also on antidepressants. “A”
was smoking marijuana on a regular basis and this contributed to his erratic mood swings. With all this in
mind, Client A dreamt big. He had hopes of securing a FIFO position so he could eventually move out of his
parent’s house, clear his debt and build a better life for himself.
After a few months “A” started to settle and we convinced him of the importance of regular medication
and support and mentoring from BTG IEP and student support people.
Fast forward 18 months. With the support of the team at BTG Client A attended multiple counselling and
doctors appointments aimed at addressing his depression and anger issues, he enrolled in and completed a
dogging and rigging course which was funded by BTG and participated in BTG’s New Directions program to
assist with his confidence, self esteem and personal presentation. Client A also made an application for a
traineeship at Alcoa – at this time he grew in confidence and started to blossom.
After an initial let down when he was unsuccessful in this application “A” started to decline again and
refused to go back onto his medication. At this time he was drawn into the JSA area for additional support.
He started in the Job Club and was fully supported and mentored there. At our wits end we now had five
staff all working intensely with him, taking turns managing his erratic behaviours and tantrums. He started
using drugs again and we knew he wouldn’t pass a drug and alcohol screen if he was selected for interview
by any of the mining companies. By late in 2011 the team at BTG encouraged Client A back into mental
health support and he started to attend counselling regularly.
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During this time, with the support of Anna Edwards, Karen Ryan and Caroline Marshall, Client A scored an
interview with Sodexo who are currently contracted by Rio Tinto in the Pilbara. “A” passed the interview
stage but unfortunately failed his medical due to issues with his manual dexterity. “A” was then invited to
attend a six week preparation course with Sodexo which ran five days a week for six weeks. Eventually,
Client A successfully completed his preparation course and it was then that his case management
transitioned into the JSA Work Experience phase. Whilst still enjoying support from the initial IEP team and
the JSA employment advisory team, he now had even more attention from the Work Experience sector.
At 3am on August 15 Bridging the Gap’s Work Experience Employment Advisor, Shane Parnell, drove an
extremely nervous “A” the 50 minute trip to Perth Domestic Airport. He had never been on a plane before.
“A” gave us numerous reasons to stop attending to him; our care was personal, suited to his specific needs
and relentless. This attention to detail is what has resulted in a great outcome for him.
“A” is working 12 hour days on a Rio Tinto site as a kitchen hand. He loves it.
“Sam”
Sam first presented to Bridging the Gap in May 2010 and had been unemployed since 2007. Following two
knee construction surgeries, 64 year old Sam was advised by his doctors to change careers. Having chosen
Bridging the Gap as his preferred Job Services Australia provider, Sam was first referred to a Career
Development Counsellor to complete a career guidance program - the outcome of which suggested Sam
was best suited to an OH&S oriented position that would suit his decreased mobility, but remained within
the industries in which he had extensive experience (construction, warehousing and truck driving). In order
for Sam to pursue this new career path, it was necessary to improve his computer skills. BTG promptly
enrolled Sam in a “First Click” course, at which he time he also completed Microsoft Word Training with the
Cockburn Vocational Centre. Upon completion of basic computer training, Sam was ready for enrolment in
a Certificate IV in OH&S and commenced online, self-paced training with the National Training Company.
Whilst completing this online training, it was still necessary for Sam to seek and sustain employment to
meet various financial commitments. An opportunity presented itself through National Green Jobs Corps as
a Team Leader for Bridging the Gap and Sam was approached about the position. He responded positively
and was confident he would be able to perform well in this position, with particular interest in working with
youth. Sam commenced this Team Leader position in August 2011 and is still working in the role, doing
extremely well.
“Ashe”
Diagnosed with untreated ADHD, 24 year old Ashe was first referred to Bridging the Gap by his social
worker at Centrelink, who believed him to be suffering from severe mental health issues in addition the
ADHD, such as schizophrenia, but was unsuccessful in convincing Ashe to pursue a formal diagnosis and
treatment plan. Consequently, in 2011, Ashe admitted to a failed suicide attempt and confirmed for his
caseworker that his depressive thoughts and mood swings were becoming unbearable. It was also evident
that Ashe was recreationally using non-prescribed prescription drugs and regularly consuming alcohol.
From his first meeting with a BTG Employment Advisor (EA), Ashe was identified as having a number of
severe barriers to employment which included medical, motivational, family breakdown, skill shortage and
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lack of work experience and no transportation, to name a few. Despite ongoing appointments with his EA,
Ashe would not commit to attending BTG training courses and career development activities. Ashe’s areas
of interest included acting, customer service and sales and his EA chose to progress him on a path towards
the later professions. In 2010 Ashe successfully secured employment with two organisations – a café and a
video store – but over an 8 week period, it became evident that Ashe could not sustain full-time working
hours due to his person issues and was eventually let go by both companies. Despite this outcome, Ashe
had gained a good insight into the world of work and his BTG case workers continued to concentrate their
efforts towards referring Ashe to a medical professional, seeking a confirmed diagnosis for his mental
health issues. A long a difficult road saw Ashe’s eventual confession to losing his parents shortly after birth,
making him a ward of the state from a 18 months old. Overtime, Ashe’s caseworkers were able to gain his
trust and successfully bring him to a medical practitioner who proffered a formal diagnosis of is mental
instability and implemented a treatment and counselling program to stabilise his condition.
“Ashlee”
Upon presenting to Bridging the Gap, Ashlee was identified as a job-seeker with limited education and work
experience, having only completed year 10 of schooling. Suffering from shyness, very low self esteem, poor
presentation and a lack of transport, Ashlee lacked the skills and motivation required to attend
appointments at Bridging the Gap or to engage in job search activities. Ashlee was unsure of the type of
work she wanted to do and during her time with BTG was supported through three Certificate II courses
and career development sessions. Ashlee received one-on-one job interview coaching and her placement
officer reverse-marketed her to suitable employers, attending interviews alongside her to counter her shy
personality. With support from her BTG caseworker, Ashlee managed to over come many of her barriers to
employment and was successfully appointed in September 2011 to a cleaning position, before becoming a
factory hand in 2011, where it is believed she remains employed today.
Btg Today Page 22 of 23
Office Locations
Bridging the Gap | Rockingham (Head Office)
10 Leghorn Street Rockingham, WA 6168
PO Box 675, Rockingham WA 6968
Phone: +61 8 9550 1111
Fax: +61 8 9592 8217
Email: [email protected]
Facebook.com/BridgingthegapWa
Bridging the Gap | Wembley
Level 1, 46 Salvado Road, Wembley
PO Box 7157, Shenton Park WA 6008
Phone: +61 8 9380 4705
Fax: +61 8 9380 4716
Bridging the Gap | Spearwood
Unit 4, 235 Rockingham Road, Spearwood
PO Box 7044, Spearwood WA 6163
Phone: +61 8 9434 6575
Fax: +61 8 9434 6794
Bridging the Gap | Kwinana
24b, 43 Meares Avenue, Kwinana
PO Box 221, Kwinana WA 6966
Phone: +61 8 9419 2553
Fax: +61 8 9439 2552
Bridging the Gap | Mandurah
56 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah
PO Box 1756, Mandurah WA 6210
Phone: +61 8 9586 3888
Fax: +61 8 9586 3999
Ngulla Training & Community Centre
68 Born Road, Casuarina
Phone: +61 8 9439 3806
Facebook.com/Ngulla
find us online
bridgingthegap.org.au
bridgingthegapwa
Bridging the Gap | Rockingham
(Head Office)
10 Leghorn Street Rockingham, WA 6168
PO Box 675, Rockingham WA 6968
Phone: +61 8 9550 1111
Fax: +61 8 9592 8217
Email: [email protected]
Bridging the Gap | Wembley
Level 1, 46 Salvado Road, Wembley
PO Box 7157, Shenton Park WA 6008
Phone: +61 8 9380 4705
Fax: +61 8 9380 4716
Bridging the Gap | Spearwood
Unit 4, 235 Rockingham Road, Spearwood
PO Box 7044, Spearwood WA 6163
Phone: +61 8 9434 6575
Fax: +61 8 9434 6794
Bridging the Gap | Kwinana
24b, 43 Meares Avenue, Kwinana
PO Box 221, Kwinana WA 6966
Phone: +61 8 9419 2553
Fax: +61 8 9439 2552
Ngulla Training & Community Centre
68 Born Road, Casurina
Phone: +61 8 9439 3806
Facebook.com/Ngulla
Bridging the Gap | Mandurah
56 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah
PO Box 1756, Mandurah WA 6210
Phone: +61 8 9586 3888
Fax: +61 8 9586 3999