Iva got this! How Iva drives belief in herself and others

With 12 years of experience working at Bundaberg social enterprise, 32-year-old employee, Iva Thomas, has held nearly every job on the production floor – from manufacturing, packaging and mini bagging, to running production errands.

“Since I started work at Bundaberg social enterprise, I have gained so much,” she said. “I love my job.”

Her work directly supports commercial partners, like Aletek, to deliver high-quality outputs.

In the past year alone, Iva and her team have produced over 500,000 parts that are used to secure the renowned manufacturer’s thermal insulation blankets. This contribution feeds Iva’s greater sense of purpose and demonstrates her commitment to following processes and conducting quality checks to produce the best outcomes possible.

In addition to her high productivity, Employment Coach, Emma Sauvage, shared that Iva’s focus on teamwork and taking on more complex tasks have transformed her into a natural leader who her colleagues look up to.

“The biggest change I’ve witnessed with Iva is from her working on her team player skills, being part of the team and working more with others,” Emma said.

“By progressing into jobs that are mentally stimulating and working with the team she has become more mature and more communicative in knowing what her needs are.

“Like all of us, she wants to create a safe space for employees where they feel their needs are supported and they feel confident using their voice.”

With her commitment to wanting “everyone to feel part of the team” Iva goes out of her way to take newbies under her wing to ensure they feel safe and welcomed at work.

“I treat them like anybody else,” Iva said.

“We’re all new at some point, and it can be scary starting in a new place so I like to show them what to do, stand with them and watch them while they do it.”

Iva’s care for her teammates has not gone unnoticed by her employment coaches, like Carol Charlton, who emphasised how much Iva has grown from being a “mother hen” and supporting others.

“Iva can do anything,” Carol said.

“We love how she just comes to work and effortlessly takes it upon herself to ensure nothing is missed and no one is left behind.

Iva said that despite receiving doubts from people in the past about her abilities, the positive contributions she has made at work have empowered her to expand her skill set even further. For Iva, this includes learning about administration and the logistics of receiving and managing orders.

“I have been bullied all my life by people who say I can’t do stuff, but I’m just going to do it anyway,” she said.

She also shared how she would like to get her forklift licence to show “it is not just a man’s job”.

“I want all women to know they can do anything,” Iva said.

“I got my licence in August and just got my green Ps,” she excitedly shared.

This significant milestone represents not only a personal achievement for Iva but also a step toward greater independence.

“Driving makes me feel like I have accomplished an 8-year-old goal and proved everyone who said I couldn’t get my licence wrong.

“Now that I have my driver’s licence I feel more free and like I am finally adulting.

“The first time I drove I was terrified!” Iva said.

“I had to learn about road signs, when to give way, and at first, I struggled to keep the same speed. Roundabouts were utter chaos! But I got used to them after doing a whole driving lesson on them.

“I also would sometimes get frustrated when drivers cut me off.

“Let’s just say I used a lot of choice words,” she joked.

You couldn’t wipe the smile off Iva’s face the day she earnt her P2 provisional licence, symbolising a possibility made into a reality through patience and persistence.

“I’m looking forward to driving to Bargara because I love the beach and want to go there for a holiday.

“I will also eventually visit my family in Gympie and take my partner and best friend on a road trip.”