After 31 years in the United Kingdom and 12 years working at Selfridges London, Peter Brook made a life-changing decision to return to Australia to be closer to his aging mother and family.
What could have been a daunting transition became a story of remarkable success, thanks to IntoJobs’ Career Transition Assistance program.
When Peter landed in Australia in September 2025, he faced challenges that many mature-age job seekers know all too well. He hadn’t attended a job interview in 16 years, the Australian job market operated completely differently than the UK, online job applications and workforce systems felt overwhelming and at 52, he worried about age discrimination and rebuilding his professional network from scratch.
“In London, if your resume was more than one page, we wouldn’t even read it,” Peter said. “In Australia, they wanted a cover letter, a detailed CV with no gaps, and explanations for everything. It was completely foreign to me.”
The isolation of unemployment began to take its toll. “It’s harder being unemployed and looking for work than being in full-time employment,” Peter said. You’re told to expect phone calls that never come, you’re navigating confusing online systems, and society makes you feel like a burden.”
Just three weeks after registering with Centrelink, Peter enrolled in IntoJobs’ Career Transition Assistance program* specifically designed for job seekers over 45, providing personalised resume and interview preparation, transferable skills identification, age-appropriate peer support, practical job readiness training and ongoing facilitator support.
The program provided exactly what Peter needed:
Tailored Professional Support Career Transition Assistance Facilitator Melanie Gartner worked one-on-one with Peter to completely overhaul his resume and cover letter for the Australian market. “It was almost like having a private tutor,” Peter said. “Mel could see I was panicked at first, but she assured me that throughout the course, we’d work through it together.”
Interview Preparation After 16 years away from job interviews, Peter needed to rebuild his confidence. The program provided practical workshops and mock interviews that helped him articulate his transferable skills effectively.
Social Connection “It’s difficult to make friends in your 50s but the program gave us a space to interact, share ideas, and support each other. The daily morning teas and group discussions became invaluable—we were all navigating similar transitions.”
Age-Appropriate Environment Unlike generic employment programs, the program provided an age-relevant program that respected participants’ experience. “No one was made to feel stupid or a burden. Everyone was encouraged to learn and grow together.”
Practical Skills Development From obtaining his RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate to understanding police checks, Peter gained the practical qualifications needed for his new career direction. “Mel showed me how to get everything sorted. She was there every step of the way.”
Just one week after completing the program, Peter secured full-time employment in the mining industry as a utilities attendant on a FIFO (Fly-In-Fly-Out) rotation—two weeks on, one week off.
What made the difference? Peter’s ability to articulate his transferable skills, something CTA had taught him.
“During my interview, they questioned how my retail experience would apply,” Peter said. “If it wasn’t for Mel, I wouldn’t have known how to respond. I said: ‘Drop the title and look at the transferable skills.’ Running my own pub, managing kitchens, overseeing renovations, managing teams in competitive retail, hitting KPIs—it’s all about multitasking, customer service, stock control, cleanliness, and presentation. Everything aligned perfectly with what they needed.”
At the induction, Peter discovered he was one of only five people out of 45 receiving full-time contracts, “I realised then: I’m a very lucky man,” he said
For anyone over 45 who’s hesitant about career transition programs, Peter offers this guidance:
Don’t See It as Punishment “Go in open-minded. Even if you think you know everything, the connection and support are invaluable. You’re meeting people in similar situations, and you can bounce ideas off each other.”
Bring Your Energy “You need to go in there with a proactive mindset, thinking ‘I’m going to gain something from this.’ Go in with energy and commitment, and you will be noticed.”
Embrace Your Experience “We’re not over the hill. We’re not stuck in the 1980s. People over 45 are needed in the workplace. We have experience, work ethic, and the ability to handle situations that aren’t in any script book.”
Ask Questions “Your facilitator is a fountain of knowledge. They understand the system and know what to do—but if you don’t ask questions, they can’t read your mind.”
Stay Open to New Directions “Look at transferable skills and think outside the box. I went from luxury retail management in London to FIFO mining services in Western Australia. Age is no barrier when you’re committed to growth.”
Peter’s success story highlights what’s possible when job seekers receive the right support at the right time, “I don’t think I’d be starting work on Wednesday if it hadn’t been for the Career Transition Assistance program. It gave me the tools, the confidence, and the connections I needed. Mel was an amazing asset to the company.”
His mum, initially worried about his unemployment, now sees the transformation. “I told her it would work out,” Peter said. “And it has.”
* IntoJobs Career Transition Assistance program in Western Australia is delivered by Mas National, both part of the IntoWork Group.
