Many young people will celebrate national Youth Week by going to work, thanks to help from WISE Employment.

ABS statistics reveal 19 per cent of people aged 15-24 across Australia are not fully engaged in either employment or education.

WISE Employment is working with many of these young people to help them find fulfilling employment, two such people are Stephanie Viglione and Lyndon Turner.

WISE Employment Richmond helped Stephanie, 24 find a job with Nando’s Richmond six months ago.

Stephanie says her new job has changed her life for the better.

“It changed everything, I feel a whole lot better that I have a job to help support my family because they are everything to me. I’m doing something for my family and for myself.

“I’m handling it great. I love it there, I work everywhere in the store, I cook, I help prepare the PERi-PERi sauce and I mostly work on the registers.”

Stephanie, who has Aspergers syndrome, spoke to WISE about finding work after finishing a hospitality course.

“After I finished studying I had been unemployed for about 10 months and WISE rang me and told me they were running a training group for work at Nando’s. I did a week of training for Certificate I in Retail and I had a day of work experience at Nando’s.”

One week later Stephanie was offered a position at Nando’s Richmond.

WISE Employment Mt Druitt helped Lyndon, who also has Aspergers syndrome find a job with Springwood Computers two months ago.

Lyndon says his job has helped get him out of the house and keep him busy.

“I get out more now…before I was just sitting around going to TAFE, playing games and not much else.”

Lyndon has been able to turn his hobby of playing computer games into a job as he builds and repairs software and hardware on computers. He is also completing a TAFE course in computer assembly and repair.

This is Lyndon’s first job, which he found with help from Michael, his WISE Employment case manager.

“WISE got me work experience and the boss there told his partner at another store I’d be a good worker and that’s how I got my job,” Lyndon said.

Michael said Springwood Computers have been very supportive and accommodating of Lyndon, helping Lyndon feel very positive about his first job.

“His turn-around has been amazing, his confidence has sky rocketed, when I first met him I had to teach him the basics, including what clothes to wear to work and now he has bought four new button-up shirts and is quite excited about his new look.”

Stephanie says young people looking for work should speak to WISE Employment.

“Many people don’t want to help you when you look for a job on your own. I highly recommend young people go to WISE Employment…they’ve helped me very much, they’ve worked very hard for me and they’ve worked hard to meet my needs.”

As a part of National Youth Week celebrations WISE Employment sites will take part in local events within their communities.

Dandenong: On 22 April WISE Employment Dandenong staff will be attending the Youth Connections workshop. Early school leavers from WISE Employment Dandenong will be invited and will be given information on how WISE Employment can assist them along with a range of support services in the Dandenong area.

Richmond: WISE Employment Richmond is sponsoring Live at the Lawn (16 April), an outdoor music event broadcasting LIVE on C31 Melbourne from the lawn of the State Library of Victoria featuring local bands, comedians and giveaways. WISE Employment staff will attend to speak to young people and hand out information packs.