Sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity for everything to start falling into place.
For 20-year-old Curtis O'Neile from Lismore, joining VERTO's Transition to Work program in late 2025 wasn't just about finding a job. It gave him the chance to build his confidence, explore his interests and start thinking about where they could take him.
Referred to the program through Centrelink, Curtis began working with Transition to Work Case Manager Bradley Painter, who quickly realised the first step wasn't finding employment, it was getting to know the person behind the resume.
"When Curtis first came to us, we spent time talking about what he wanted for his future," Bradley said. "It wasn't about rushing him into a job. It was about building his confidence, understanding his goals and helping him recognise what he was capable of."
One of the biggest challenges Curtis faced was temporarily losing his learner licence, making it more difficult to access work. While waiting to regain it, Bradley continued meeting with him regularly, helping Curtis stay motivated and think about his next steps.
Once Curtis regained his learner licence in January, new opportunities began to open up.
Bradley organised driving lessons to help Curtis build his experience behind the wheel and also introduced him to the Work Foundation program delivered by Connect Northern Rivers.
Interested in giving the program a go, Curtis worked with Bradley to update his resume and prepare for the interview process before being accepted.
This six-month initiative allows young people to gain workplace experience while exploring different career pathways. Participants also spend time learning about different industries and can undertake practical training, such as First Aid, while identifying the areas that interest them most.
For Curtis, something clicked.
After exploring a range of options, he discovered a genuine interest in community services and decided to enrol in a Certificate III in Community Services.
As a young Indigenous person, Curtis has also started thinking about where that new direction could take him.
“Community services is something I can really see myself continuing with,” Curtis said. “In the future, I’d like to work with Indigenous young people and hopefully use what I’ve learned to support them.”
Throughout the program, Curtis's enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to learn didn't go unnoticed. By the time he completed the six-month program, Connect Northern Rivers had offered him a position as a Youth Engagement Coordinator.
VERTO also provided practical support along the way, including a laptop to assist with his studies and work clothes to help him settle into his new role.
Curtis says he's incredibly grateful for the support he's received and appreciates having someone there to guide and encourage him along the way.
“From the very beginning, Curtis was willing to give things a go,” Bradley said. “I'm incredibly proud of what he's achieved and where he's heading.”
Today, Curtis is working as a Youth Engagement Coordinator while continuing his Certificate III in Community Services. He's also building his driving experience and completing the supervised hours required before he can apply for his provisional P1 licence.
While Curtis is still early in his career, he now has something he didn't have when he first joined Transition to Work: a field he's genuinely interested in and a goal he wants to work towards.
If you're aged 15–24 and looking for work, training or simply someone to support you along the way, VERTO's Transition to Work program is here to help.
Learn more about Transition to Work: https://www.verto.org.au/employment-services/transition-to-work
