Paid Work Trial paves way to independence

Loncey sits with Disability Supports participant Mason who is painting, while in the My Pathway Paid Work Trial

Loncey Sagai wanted to be independent. The Hope Vale local has been seeking employment since leaving school in 2021 and recognised My Pathway’s Paid Work Trial as a great opportunity to become more self-reliant.

“I wanted to make my own money. It was a step in the right direction for me.” he said.

Working with our Hope Vale Disability Supports, Loncey quickly impressed the team.

“Loncey has proven to be an exemplary worker. He’s pleasant, polite, and has grasped every opportunity to upskill, completing Cert III Rural Operations, First Aid and Standard 11 training” says Program Coordinator Shariel Cassar.

“We recognised he was a very good match for a participant we already had in our Disability Supports program, and the family have been so pleased with the support Loncey has been able to provide.”

For Loncey, the low-pressure format of the Paid Work Trial suited.

“It got me into a work environment, learning new skills and interacting with others. And I was getting paid on top of my Centrelink!”

Shariel says it’s a low-risk route for job seekers looking to test the waters of structured employment and provides the perfect opportunity to progress to ongoing employment after the 13-week trail concludes.

“It’s great because Loncey was able to do the induction training and get a taste, under supervision, of what Support Work entails to see if he liked or not. Luckily, he did, and we look forward to Loncey being a part of the team for quite some time.”

Loncey was offered an ongoing role with My Pathway Disability Supports as soon as the trial concluded, and is now continuing to enjoy making his own money in a job he is comfortable and skilled in.

There are still more places available for both employers and participants in the program, please contact your nearest My Pathway location for more details or to apply.