Welcome to CVGT Employment’s job seeker success stories blog, where we share the inspiring journeys of real people who have overcome challenges to find meaningful work with the help of our team.
We hope these stories inspire and encourage you on your own job search journey.
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Ricky puts his hands on skills to use with agricultural equipment supplier
Ricky, a single dad with four children first met employment consultant Michelle at CVGT Employment Ararat after he had been unemployed for some time. Initially he was hoping to start a landscaping business, I talked to my consultant about what kind of work I could and couldn’t do and what worked well with the skills…

Kepler’s hospitality journey continues with support from CVGT Employment
For more than six years, Kepler has been building a successful career in hospitality with the support of CVGT Employment. Today, Kepler is thriving in his role at Universal Restaurant in Carlton, where he works in food preparation and supports the busy kitchen team. His employment journey is a great example of how ongoing support,…

Michael turns his life around with support from our Mildura team
Michael in Mildura has overcome many struggles with addiction and was supported by CVGT Employment through his rehabilitation. He was provided with training and mentoring and was able to secure employment as a forklift driver in a warehouse with the the support of our Workforce Australia team in Mildura. Michael really appreciated the support and…

Sharysse gains freedom and opportunities through support to gain her license
When Sharysse first came in to Parent Pathways in Melton, her goal was to obtain her licence, which she was quite nervous about. Sharysse is a single mum of 4 children who relies on public transport to get around and take her children to specialist appointments. Through support from Parent Pathways, we were able to…

Hospitality goal becomes a reality for Kaidan
When Kaidan joined CVGT Employment’s Inclusive Employment Australia program in 2025, he had a clear goal: to work in hospitality. With the support of CVGT Employment Work Support Mentor Daniel in Echuca, Kaidan, who has autism, worked towards achieving that goal. Daniel supported him to gain his driver’s licence, build his confidence in interviews and…

Creating a new generation of workers at the City of Greater Bendigo
Our extended partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo since 2018 has been creating new pathways into employment for a generation of young people, and a sustainable pipeline of skilled and knowledgeable staff for the City of Greater Bendigo. The picture above shows five women Elsa Wang, Chelsea Hill, Caitlin Van Dolderen, Katie Mansfield and…

From uncertainty to a career she loves
When Faith first connected with Parent Pathways at CVGT Employment, she had a dream of building a career in early childhood education. Like many parents, however, balancing family responsibilities and the cost of studying made that dream feel difficult to achieve. Finding the right path Faith knew she wanted to study, but she wasn’t sure…

Justin on the road back to being the best father he can to his kids
For CVGT Employment participant Justin, life has not been an easy road. He was born in Adelaide and moved around a lot as a kid, struggled with school, and failed to complete high school, leaving at 15 years of age. He began working his first job at 13 years old to help his family make…

Determination drives Jesse’s success
For Jesse, taking on a new challenge meant stepping outside his comfort zone and backing himself to try again. In December 2025, Jesse, a participant in the Inclusive Employment Australia program, enrolled in a forklift training course to build his skills and support his career progression with Glenorchy-based employer, SEED (Social Enterprise, Employment and Diversity)….

Partnering with new Coles store to provide jobs for four First Nations job seekers
In partnership with Coles, CVGT Employment have worked collaboratively to successfully place four First Nations participants into the brand-new Coles store in Maiden Gully, just outside of Bendigo on the 1st of July 2026. CVGT Employment were initially approached by Coles, who were looking to attract First Nations participants to the workforce for their new…

Turning the page: How Parent Pathways helped Elise write a new chapter
For years, Elise’s focus was on her children. Like many parents, she put her own goals on hold while raising her family, dedicating herself to their needs and wellbeing. While she wouldn’t change those years for anything, she found herself wondering what came next. I knew I wanted to return to the workforce and build…

When work isn’t enough: Supporting Benjamin to build stability
Many Australians are working, showing up, and doing their best, yet still struggling with low or inconsistent hours. For those relying on irregular shifts, low and unpredictable hours can make it difficult to plan ahead, maintain financial stability, or feel confident about the future. Income support can help bridge the gap during these periods, but…

Confidence, commitment and a career start at 20
At just 20 years old, CVGT Employment Workforce Australia participant Saul, is proving that age is no barrier to achieving meaningful employment. After facing a range of personal challenges, he has reached a milestone that once felt out of reach by securing paid work and building a strong foundation for the future. Facing challenges head-on…

A fall at work changed everything, but not John’s drive to keep going
After a workplace injury left John unable to return to the job he knew, support through Inclusive Employment Australia with CVGT Employment helped him rebuild his confidence and find a new career. At 31, John had built his life around physical, hands-on jobs, working as a roof tiler and gardener. But a fall on the…

Thomas begins arborist career
After several years of dedication, patience and steady progress towards finding work, Thomas has begun his career as an arborist with North East Tree Care in Wodonga. Thomas has worked with CVGT Employment Wodonga for some time, building towards the next step in his career and exploring opportunities that aligned with his goals. His employment…

Samantha rediscovers her strength and a new career path after stepping back from work to raise her family
Samantha rediscovers her strength and a new career path after stepping back from work to raise her family

Kurt builds a career with Challenger Valves
Kurt joined CVGT Employment’s Transition to Work program in March 2025 looking for support to secure full-time warehouse work and build a long-term career. Workforce Australia – Transition to Work is an Australian Government funded program that supports young people aged 15 to 24 to build practical skills, gain qualifications and connect with real job…

Starting your career with confidence
Leaving school can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Knowing where to start, how to approach employers and how to turn a passion into a job is not always clear. The good news is you do not have to figure it out alone. CVGT Employment’s Transition to Work program helps young people take…