At 15 years old, Lilly knew she wanted a career where she could be creative and work with people. What she didn't know was whether that future lay in beauty therapy or hairdressing.
After experiencing some challenges at school, Lilly's teacher suggested she join VERTO's Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program in Maitland. Since enrolling in October 2025, she has been attending three days a week while working towards her Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways.
Earlier this year, following some personal challenges, Lilly decided it was time to focus on her future. She shared with her SEE Trainer, Matt Gatt, that she was determined to pursue an apprenticeship, but first needed to discover which career path felt right.
Rather than guessing, they decided to find out.
Although new to the Hunter region, Matt was eager to help Lilly gain real industry experience. He reached out to colleague Gena Hopes from our Transition to Work team, whose strong local connections quickly opened a door.
"Gena immediately thought of Karleen from Emelle Hair Salon," Matt said. "She walked next door to have a chat, and within minutes we were sitting down with the owner to discuss a work experience placement for Lilly. It was a great example of how working together can create opportunities for our participants."
Lilly’s placement became the first work experience opportunity organised through the SEE Program in Maitland.
Over the following weeks, Lilly completed 100 hours at Emelle Hair Salon, experiencing the day-to-day reality of working in a busy salon. She observed experienced hairdressers, supported the team with a range of daily tasks and gained valuable insight into the profession she had always been curious about.
"I loved being in the salon and learning something new every day," Lilly said. "It made me realise that hairdressing is exactly what I want to do.”
For Matt, seeing Lilly gain clarity about her future was the biggest success.
"Work experience isn't just about learning new skills," he said. "It's about giving someone the chance to experience an industry for themselves. Watching Lilly become more confident and certain about her future was incredibly rewarding."
Today, Lilly continues to attend the SEE Program while completing her Certificate II and strengthening the language, literacy and numeracy skills that will support her throughout her apprenticeship and beyond.
Matt is now continuing to support Lilly as she searches for an apprenticeship, helping her prepare applications and connect with local employers. With interviews on the horizon and Emelle Hair Salon expressing interest in welcoming her back as an apprentice, she's excited about what comes next.
"I know there's still a lot to learn, but now I know what I want to do," she said. "I'm excited to keep working towards becoming a hairdresser."
Lilly's journey is a reminder that sometimes the best way to discover your future is to experience it first. Through practical opportunities, personalised support and strong community connections, the SEE Program is helping participants discover their potential, build confidence and take meaningful steps towards careers they're genuinely excited about.
For more information about the Skills for Education and Employment program, contact VERTO on 1300 483 786 or visit www.verto.org.au/skills-for-education-and-employment.
The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
