With full-time employment comes self-confidence and financial stability

In the Pilbara of Western Australia, 2 Aboriginal women who were previously unemployed have found their place and regained their confidence.

Njamal woman Carrie Brown and Ursula Lyndon are cleaning utility workers at an iron ore mine called the Iron Bridge Project.

‘I was a stay at home mum. Occasionally I would do some cleaning jobs here and there for my family and friends within the community, but I mostly focused on being a good mum and raising my children,’ Carrie said.

‘Before this job I had experienced a long-term period of unemployment and was really struggling to find a job. Prior to that I had worked in the admin and utility areas both in FIFO (Fly in Fly Out Work) and Perth,’ Ursula said.

Both gained their jobs through Yalagan Group, an employment agency that specialises in connecting unemployed Indigenous Australians with job opportunities at mining companies.

Georgia Walker is Marketing Coordinator at Yalagan Group.

‘What sets us apart is the length that we will go to, to prepare our job seekers for their role,’ Georgia said.

‘From the little things such as paying for fines, getting licenses, buying credit and arranging transport to the bigger things, such as arranging for training courses to be completed and organising operating tickets.’

Both women have experienced significant change in their lives since gaining full-time and continuous employment.

‘I had been out of the workforce for a long time prior to getting this job and having it now has given me the opportunity to regain my self-confidence,’ Carrie said.

‘At first, I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to do it, but now I am confident in my abilities and can successfully communicate with my peers and colleagues if I am struggling at all.

‘I have also had to learn how to be independent. This is the first time I have ever been away from my children for so long, but it has taught us to be strong, and courageous in pursuit of our goals.’

Ursula said that she’s noticed massive changes in her life.

‘Just in feeling confident in myself again, now that I’m back working I can provide for myself and my family and that makes me feel strong and incredibly powerful. And l really like that,’ she said.

And of course, there’s the money.

‘I have financial independence which gives me the ability to provide for my children in a way I never thought I could. Next year I will be buying myself a new car and this is something I probably wouldn’t have been able to do before this job,’ Carrie said.

‘Financial freedom is also a big thing for me, this is the first time in a long time I have been able to enjoy some security in my financial situation, to feel secure in myself, and to really be there for my family,’ Ursula said.

Having spent much time out of the workforce, Carrie and Ursula know only too well the benefits that have come to them and their families since contacting Yalagan.

Yalagan have witnessed a change in Carrie and Ursula, as they do each time they place somebody into employment.

‘Carrie has become better at her communication skills; she is more comfortable presenting herself in a professional way and has gained a real sense of independence,’ Georgia said.

‘Ursula has also had a big increase in confidence, telling us on more than one occasion that she is back to feeling like herself again. Compared to how we met these women and now, we see a real measurable increase in their sense of self and independence.’