Brendan from Townsville social enterprise, began working when he moved to the area with his family in 2022. With the support of the team, Brendan has begun a new job in mainstream employment with AEP Advanced Engineering. AEP provides mechanical engineering services and advanced manufacturing for the defence, mining and energy sectors in North Queensland as well as supporting Townsville based local businesses.
Earlier on in the year AEP Director, Michael, attended an open day at the social enterprise and was impressed with the metal fabrication work that is done onsite for Bluescope. Knowing that this work was very similar to what AEP do, Michael and Site Manager, Melissa Te Waaka, began discussing how we could also help AEP. By June, we started a hosted employment partnership.
Brendan has been supported by Melissa and team to get ready for mainstream employment, and along with Brendan’s Mum, felt that he was ready to take on the challenge. Brendan and his Mum approached AEP and after a successful interview, Brendan was successful in getting the role of Trades Assistant.
Melissa said:
Brendan was so excited when he got the job he called to tell us straight away. We organised a farewell and congratulations morning tea for Brendan and he proudly told everyone he got a job at AEP.
In his new role, Brendan does a variety of tasks, guiding the vehicles when they are being moved, going out doing pick ups and deliveries, packaging the nuts and bolts, breaking down boxes and recycling.
Yesterday when Brendan came in to say hi, as he does most days, he excitedly told us that he now owns a set of box cutters for breaking down the boxes. He’s so excited to be wearing his new uniform and to be one of the ‘orange shirts’, what staff wear at work sites, now
Brendan’s ambitions go beyond his current role. He would love to do a welding apprenticeship, which he will be able to do at AEP. Brendan does have a background in construction, having studied through the TAFE at School program.
It was pretty interesting. That’s how I got into welding, I wanted to do welding. Anything metalwork or woodwork is my thing. Cutting the channels, the metal, and measuring it because I like it’s using maths skills and memory as well, cause you’re your trying to remember the measurements.
Outside of work, Brendan loves making Lego creations and travelling, with a visit to Sydney to visit friends this year, and loves walking, calling it his passion. He’s been a super helpful person while working at the social enterprise, cooking the sausage sizzle, and making Lego contributions for Australia Day.
Brendan’s journey is a great example of how support from his Mum, and Melissa and the team helps Brendan to do great things, and build his independence to achieve his goals.
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