Pat's decade of determination and development

Pat, a self-proclaimed gym junkie and footy fanatic, faced challenges many of us take for granted.

Living with an intellectual disability, he found driving or working full-time was not an option for him when he left school.

But Pat was determined to carve out his own path.

Pat's life before employment was unstructured and unfulfilling.

"My structure was just doing nothing," he recalls.

He was eager to have more independence and an opportunity to earn his own income.

This desire led him to APM Employment Services, and a team dedicated to helping people with disability find meaningful employment.

"I wanted to get into the workforce and start earning a bit of income for me," Pat said.

Preparing for a new challenge

At APM, Pat met a team of dedicated professionals who saw his potential and were committed to helping him succeed.

"Pat came into the Warragul office around about 10 to 11 years ago wanting a job," said Shelley, a Business Manager at APM Employment Services.

"He wanted some independence, he wanted some assistance to find a job. He didn't know where to start."

The team at APM recognised that Pat's confidence was low, so they worked to build it up.

They conducted mock interviews, provided coaching, and even accompanied Pat to meet potential employers.

Finding the right opportunity

With more confidence and determination Pat landed a role at the Warragul Country Club, where he started with simple tasks like collecting glasses.

"We started him off very slight, so he was grabbing glasses, and we had a lot of spillages," Shelley said.

But Pat's determination and willingness to learn quickly became evident. He progressed from handling glasses to delivering coffees in the café, and eventually, he found his place in the Bistro.

"The progression that we've seen with Pat moving from when he first started there to now, he's amazing," Shelley added.

Pat's role in the Bistro involves taking meals to tables, clearing them, and engaging with customers. His friendly nature and welcoming chatter have made him a beloved figure among the patrons.

"Customers absolutely love him and he's a big part of our team. We would not be the same without him if we didn't have Pat with us," said Hospitality Manager Ann.