After a decade of working as a roof tiler, Jacob found himself at a crossroads due to persistent back pain that made it difficult to continue working. Seeking a more sustainable career path with greater opportunities for advancement, he decided it was time for a change.
Jacob was unemployed and considering what to do next when he discovered a job opening at Parks Victoria for a Park Ranger position. This role particularly resonated with him as it aligned with his Indigenous heritage and his passion for outdoor conservation work.
Seeking to make this career shift, Jacob approached IntoJobs, where he met with Mobile Employment Consultant, Gloria Timbuleng. During their discussions, Jacob shared his cultural heritage, community involvement and his aspiration to work outdoors.
Gloria discovered that the training courses to become a qualified ranger were located 2–3 hours from Jacob’s home, making it challenging for him to be able to access and successfully complete the required training. To help Jacob explore potential solutions and alternatives Gloria arranged a career counselling session with Mas National First Nations Engagement Officer, Harry Hillcoat.
Harry took the time to understand Jacob’s current skills, interests and aspirations, and identified a course that could be a stepping stone to Jacob’s ultimate career goal, “I had the privilege of collaborating with Gloria from IntoJobs to guide and support another First Nations person embarking on a new employment journey,” Harry said.
Under the guidance of Harry and Gloria, Jacob explored the pathway to becoming an arborist. He enrolled in a full-funded course offered by Arbortrim, focusing on the Basic Tree Worker Skill Set.
Jacob excelled in his training and caught the attention of Laura Mansell from OnSite Recruitment.
After completing additional training funded by IntoJobs, Jacob was offered a position at CityWide. Initially hired on a casual basis, Jacob’s exceptional performance led to an early offer of a permanent position from his manager, just one month into his job.
Jacob is thriving in his new career as an Arborist and his employment journey highlights the importance of personalised career support and the impact of culturally sensitive guidance. “Our joint efforts led to him securing a position that he is passionate about and thrives in. It was incredibly fulfilling to see him grow and succeed, affirming the importance of culturally aware support and advocacy in making tangible differences in individuals’ lives.”
