After three years of being a stay-at-home mum, Patricia Knox was looking for a way to support herself and her family independently.
Lacking motivation and confidence, the Casino mother found the courage to seek help from VERTO’s ParentsNext team.
Fast forward three years, and Ms Knox is now proudly working as an Indigenous Liaison Student Support Officer at Coraki Public School, and says she’s found her dream job thanks to the support she received from VERTO through ParentsNext, an Australian Government funded pre-employment program that helps parents with young children plan and prepare for future employment or study.
“I knew I wanted to work in my local community, but I wasn’t sure where to start, and that’s when I approached Mary at VERTO who put me on the right path,” Ms Knox said.
“I’ve since completed a Certificate III in Community Services and I’m now considering a Bachelor of Education at university which is really exciting.
“I would like to thank Mary and VERTO for the support and assistance I received and would highly recommend this program to other parents looking to get back into the workforce.
“It is important for people to know that services for parents exist, and VERTO really do care about you - you just need give them a call,” Ms Knox said.
Proud ParentsNext Mentor, Mary Donnelly, added, “It has been a pleasure to support Patricia and watch her grow in self-esteem and confidence, reaching her goals and furthering her education and employment opportunities.”
VERTO Chief Executive Officer, Ron Maxwell, hopes others learn and are inspired by Ms Knox’s experience.
“Patricia was able to find the right combination of support she needed to find a job she loves, and I urge others to find out about the many services available at VERTO that can help them find employment,” Mr Maxwell said.
“Whatever your challenges and goals, VERTO’s consultants are trained to help you find the right pathways and opportunities to achieve your training and education goals.”
For more information on the ParentsNext program, or how VERTO can assist you on your employment journey, phone 1300 4 VERTO (1300 483 786) or visit www.verto.org.au.
