Sometimes the biggest barrier isn't a lack of ability, it's believing you can do something in the first place.
When 48-year-old Andy from Budgewoi joined VERTO's Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program in December 2025, he knew he wanted something different. After years of working in cleaning roles, he dreamed of finding a stable job where he could feel respected and part of a team.
Living with an intellectual disability, Andy sometimes needs extra time to process new information and learn new tasks. Like many people, he can be hard on himself, often comparing himself to others and doubting his own abilities before he's even had the chance to try.
At first, Andy hoped to secure a role with a large, well-known employer. But after facing a few setbacks, he and his VERTO Employment Consultant, Sarah Powell, began exploring another pathway that better matched his goals and support needs.
One dream had always stayed with him: earning his forklift licence. But he worried he wouldn't be able to pass the theory component.
Rather than giving up on that goal, Sarah began looking for the right training provider, one that would understand Andy's learning style and provide the support he needed to succeed.
That search led to local family business Assess to Lift.
After speaking with the team, Sarah worked closely with them to make Andy's training possible.
"When I called Andrew to tell him we'd be able to organise and fund his forklift training, his reaction reminded me exactly why I have stayed in this industry," Sarah said. "He was so excited, and I was just as excited for him."
From the moment he walked into the training centre, something began to change.
Surrounded by a supportive team who took the time to understand and encourage him, Andy started coming out of his shell. He chatted with other participants, built rapport with his assessor Trevor and the team at Assess to Lift, and approached each day with growing confidence.
"Assess to Lift were so supportive. They always took the time to explain everything. Steph helped me with the maths, and Bec even stayed back when I needed extra support," Andy said.
With Sarah cheering him on and the encouragement of the Assess to Lift team, Andy successfully completed his forklift training and proudly earned his forklift licence.
"Thanks to Andrew's dedication and the incredible support from Steph, Trevor and Bec at Assess to Lift, he's begun to see the confidence in himself that we had all recognised from the beginning," Sarah said. "I'm so proud of how far he's come."
The relationship didn't end when the training finished. The team at Assess to Lift has continued to support Andy, providing glowing feedback and even offering to be a referee on his resume.
Together, VERTO and Assess to Lift are now working to find a supportive employer where Andy can put his new skills to use, ideally in a role involving plants, an area where he has shown genuine passion and knowledge.
"No other provider had helped me like Sarah and VERTO did. They organised everything and paid for the course. If it wasn't for Sarah, I wouldn't have my forklift licence today," he said.
Andy still has one goal in mind: finding a stable job where he can put his forklift licence to good use, feel respected by his team and continue growing in confidence.
His story is a reminder that sometimes believing in yourself starts with someone else believing in you first.
For more information about the Inclusive Employment Australia program, contact VERTO on 1300 483 786 or visit https://www.verto.org.au/employment-services/inclusive-employment-australia.
