NADIA - A sparkle in her eyes Being an ex-teacher, Ray was very careful choosing the program most likely to improve his daughter Nadia’s prospects for employment. At NOVA Katoomba, he found trained and passionate staff committed to getting to know Nadia. They also helped her identify, develop and achieve her employment goals through exposing her to plenty of work-experience opportunities. He was ecstatic when she found a job at a local restaurant where she washes up, serves…

Cody - Work helps develop confidence If you head to Katoomba RSL you’re likely to be greeted by Cody. He’s almost part of the furniture, having worked as a doorman since 2011. His jobs include greeting people on arrival, helping them sign in and generally answering any questions patrons might have. It took about a year before Cody became completely comfortable with this role but now he revels in it.Cody enjoys the company of his…

Alan - Independence through a job he enjoys Alan works full time at Wallace and Wallace Signs and is enrolled in a Diploma of Digital Media. He loves the creative side of his job – designing, using computers and learning from his boss, Craig. Craig says that Alan is picking up skills to the point that he can almost do small jobs on his own so he’s a valuable extra pair of hands around the workshop. He contributes…

Casey- A whole career in front of him Having started work in December 2015, Casey is one of eight staff at JAX Tyres in Sutherland. He works full time and is undertaking a traineeship in tyre fitting. His supervisor, Bill, says he’s taken to it very quickly: ‘In my thirty years as a tyre fitter I’ve trained a few guys and Casey has picked it up well. I can’t see any of his disabilities holding him back.’In…

Tim - Confidence and value through work Tim graduated from Penrith’s Transition to Work program in 2014. As you can see in this video, NOVA has helped him become a confident young man who is a valued member of his workplace. He loves his work repairing and rebuilding lawnmowers at GYC lawnmower repairs in Penrith. Tim learnt a great deal from his job coaches at NOVA Transition: from how to speak to employers, to creating PowerPoint presentations, to understanding employer expectations. He enjoyed…

Harley - Sky’s the limit! Sometimes Harley would not get out of bed to attend NOVA Transition Engadine. He has a mild intellectual disability but it was the anxiety that stopped him from doing everyday things.Yet with coaching from his job coach, Harley’s confidence began to improve to the point that he attempted work experience. The key to his successful first work-experience placement was his being supported 100% of the time by an experienced NOVA support worker. Gradually, he…

Ram - Communication key to employment Ram worked hard to improve his English skills in order to become job ready.After taking a little while to settle into NOVA Transition's program in Liverpool, Ram developed his social skills and started making new friends. With this boost of confidence Ram started to believe in himself. As NOVA Employment CEO, Martin Wren says, ‘Great things can happen when we start to believe in ourselves. Often it’s half the battle to achieving…

Pissett- Choosing the path to employment After finishing school, Pissett considered his options. Of the various NDIS choices available, he chose the path to employment so Pissett registered with NOVA Transition Ingleburn. That choice has paid off: Pissett got a job as an assistant storeperson at Ultimate Suspension.The role is a Traineeship in Automotive Sales (parts), which means both employer and employee are committed to making this job a career for Pissett. It’s a win-win, according…

Nona - A working machine Nona is kicking goals in his traineeship with CT Freight in Mascot. While he was at Ingleburn NOVA Transition, the staff organised for Nona to get his forklift licence, which opened up opportunities to work in warehousing – and it's paid off!His boss Richard, Manager at CT Freight, is delighted to have Nona on board. ‘We didn’t know what to expect but Nona is just a working machine. He’s a model to the rest…