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Mixing Career with Culture

10/10/2024

Trey, Transition to Work participant, Broadmeadows

Trey’s journey with WCIG’s Transition to Work (TTW) program kicked off in June 2023, when things in his life were pretty tough. As a young Indigenous man, he was dealing with a lot—trying to reconnect with his cultural roots while also juggling big family responsibilities. On top of all that, he was struggling with confidence, motivation, and becoming independent.

Trey was upfront about how hard it was to make it to his provider appointments with so much going on at home. Plus, sorting out financial support through Centrelink was adding extra stress. But through all of this, his youth coach, Troy, had his back. They stayed in touch almost every week, building a solid connection that eventually opened up some amazing opportunities.

By late August, after a lot of hard work, Trey finally got his Centrelink payments, which took a huge weight off his shoulders. With that financial support, he could finally start thinking about his own future and the possibilities ahead.

At first, Trey and Troy explored a few different industries, like construction and ticketing jobs. But they realised pretty quickly that getting into those jobs would be tough without a driver’s license. So, they switched gears and focused on helping Trey pass his driving test. Troy hooked him up with resources, and Trey put in the effort to build his confidence for the test.

A few weeks later, Trey passed his test and got his license—a massive step toward his independence! Feeling more confident, he started showing interest in hospitality. By November 2023, Troy had lined up some cultural support for Trey to help him reconnect with his Indigenous roots. Around that time, Trey met Mark D, WCIG’s Indigenous employment consultant, who introduced him to the National Indigenous 

Indigenous Transition to Work participant embarks on career in hospitality. Image courtesy of Delaware North

It was here that Trey reconnected with Sam, an old friend who was the Program Coordinator at the Institute. Sam suggested he apply for an apprentice chef position at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Fired up by the opportunity, Troy made sure Trey was prepped for the interview, reminding him how far he’d come and giving him the confidence boost he needed.

On December 11, 2023, Trey nailed his first shift as an apprentice chef at the MCG, kicking off an exciting new chapter. Over the next few months, Trey was thrilled with how much he was learning, and the experience was completely changing his outlook on life. He started to believe in his own potential and knew he could achieve whatever he set his mind to.

By June 2024, Trey was officially employed for six months, locking in his success, and setting him up for an even brighter future. He’s incredibly grateful for the support from Troy and WCIG’s Transition to Work services, and he’s excited to keep moving forward and finish his apprenticeship strong.

Trey’s story shows how, with the right support and some perseverance, you can overcome tough times and create an amazing future full of new opportunities.

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