Ernie Pehi means a lot to STEPS, and we hope that we mean a lot to him.
You see Ernie is one of those rare customers of whom we’ve been lucky enough to serve, and who is now returning his skills and experiences to the workforce – our workforce that is!
The relationship began when Ernie came to STEPS Employment Solutions looking for help to get back into the workforce after a particularly challenging period of his life.
But when STEPS Employment Consultant Sue Connelly mentioned that STEPS’ training arm of the business were going to be delivering there next Aged Care training course Ernie really started to think about his work options.
Having never previously considered a career in Aged Care Ernie’s thoughts immediately turned to memories of his mother’s role in caring for his sick father.
Ernie thought that if it wasn’t her that was looking after his father, it would be someone else, and he hoped that person would care for his father with the compassion and patience his mother had shown for many years.
And so Ernie decided to take the leap and begin the next chapter in his life starting with a new career in Aged Care.
Ernie enrolled in the training course and from day one new it was the right choice for him.
He admits there were some personal challenges along the way that threatened to bump him off track, but says the ongoing support of Sue Connolly helped get him through.
“Sue was very encouraging, very supportive, and helped to pick me up when things got a bit tough in my personal life”, Ernie said.
Ernie also has nothing but praise for the trainers who helped him gain his qualification in Aged Care.
“Wendy our trainer was great. She really gets you absorbed into the work and makes you really want to learn. She was always very helpful and encouraging”.
Today Ernie is giving back to the organisation that helped gain him qualifications in aged care, and is applying his expertise as a support worker for STEPS Link In, a STEPS service that supports people with a disability in their home as well as providing connections with the community.
Ernie has thoroughly enjoyed his new career and working with the team at STEPS. He now has his sights set on gaining further qualifications that will see him working in hospitals helping people with a disability who are vulnerable.
STEPS Link In Manager Rob Walter is equally pleased with Ernie who has been a valuable member of the team for almost 10 months now.
“Ernie’s passion and attention to detail make him a great support worker, and our clients just love him”.
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