Camera crews flew up from Canberra to film Chris Johnson and Trevor Doole, as the pair talked about their path from unemployment to thriving in their respective industries.

The footage will be used by the Department of Employment in a nationwide campaign. 

For more than two years, Mr Johnson has been the familiar face at See Change Cafe, but before that, he had been unemployed for about four years.

“At my first appointment with Joblink Plus, they offered for me to do a course, a Certificate II in hospitality," Mr Johnson said. 

“I did that for five months, then a traineeship came up through the course and I’ve been there ever since.”

Mr Johnson has continued his training, recently completing his Certificate III in hospitality.

“I’m hoping to continue employment there, or stay in the hospitality field – I feel like I’ve got plenty of opportunities lined up.”

Mr Doole, who has been with Tufey’s Concreting and Plastering for about a year, also got his job through Joblink Plus

“They got me into a Cert II for construction, while I was doing my course this bloke was a looking for a worker, a labourer, and I put my hand up,” Mr Doole said. 

“He’s kept me on since.”

Mr Doole is loving in his first full-time gig and was named Tamworth TAFE’s runner-up Aboriginal student of the year. 

“It’s been really good, I’ve learnt a lot of new things,” he said.

“I’m looking to finishing my Cert II and move forward to find work. In the long run I’m hoping to sell myself as a sub-contractor.”

Joblink Plus communication manager Tom Plevey said at the end of the day, job seekers just want the same as everyone else; a purpose, the chance to raise a family and independence.

“Joblink Plus is always happy to see guys like Chris and Trevor go on to succeed, to find a good job, meaningful employment,” he said.

“We’re really grateful to employers we’re lucky to work with, like Tufrey’s, and Coles, who have given them a chance – and most importantly, found some great employees.”

All the programs at Joblink Plus focus on finding a person’s strength, nurturing it and turning it into a career.

“If we can hone in one strength, it opens up the conversation with that young person to build a rapport and get them on track,” Youth programs manager Amanda Hazell said.

“They might have several barriers to employment, but they could say to us ‘I really love throwing a line in the river’.

“From that conversation, we can establish something they like and potential gear them into a path to employment – OK, so you really like fishing, have you every though of working at a fishing and outdoor store?”

For more information about Joblink’s Transition to Work program, call 6764 6666.