John's Journey to Employment

After being unemployed for many years, John was referred to the Local Area Employment Service (LAES). Determined to find full-time work, he faced a number of challenges that made this goal difficult to achieve.

Living outside the city, John had limited access to reliable transport. Without a car, he depended heavily on neighbours for lifts. He also faced literacy and digital skills challenges, which made it harder to search for jobs and complete online applications. Despite these barriers, John remained motivated to improve his situation and secure sustainable employment.

Working closely with his caseworker, John began rebuilding his skills and confidence. During his first year with LAES, he completed a range of training programmes, including Manual Handling, Safe Pass, Arc and Tig Welding, and Forklift Training.

"Working with John to understand the elements holding him back was really worthwhile. We worked to address each barrier with John, and I can say that he took every opportunity available to him and it paid off."

LAES Caseworker

As his confidence grew, the focus shifted towards enhancing his qualifications and preparing for employment opportunities. John completed further training in the growing retrofit sector, including NZEB Retrofit Thermal Insulation Installation and an NZEB Certificate in External Wall Insulation.

While he actively applied for jobs, he found that applications were not leading to interviews. To provide additional support, his caseworker referred him to the Employer Liaison Officer, who worked directly with employers to identify opportunities that matched John's skills and experience.

A work trial was arranged with a company seeking a General Operator. John approached the opportunity with enthusiasm, commitment, and professionalism, making a positive impression from the outset.

The work trial was a success, and John was offered a permanent position. His employer was so impressed with his attitude and work ethic that they later contacted LAES to ask for "another John".

John's story demonstrates how tailored support, targeted skills development, and strong employer engagement can help people overcome barriers, build confidence, and achieve lasting employment.