APM ParentsNext - Future Possibilities in Melbourne transcript

Tracey Jackson: Hi, and welcome to APM's ParentsNext program. I'm Tracy Jackson, General Manager here at APM, and I'd like to start by saying how excited we are to have an opportunity to work with you and your families on realizing your own possibilities for the future. 

Here at APM, our teams across South Australia, Victoria and Cairns, are here to support you on your own individual journeys. We know that being a parent can be one of the most rewarding experiences. However, we also know it can be pretty challenging at times. So, we're here to provide you with the support, the networks, accessibility to training and programs that are going to assist you in being able to develop your own pathways. 

Throughout this video, we'll share with you some information that will outline training opportunities, share with you the community stakeholders that we have partnerships with in your local areas. And we're also really excited to share with you some stories from some of our parents across the country, who've realized their own successes, and hopefully you'll have an opportunity to find someone that you feel that you can align with, and it might even spark some ideas that you'd like to then take away and have a talk to your local consultant about. So, let's have a look at some parents just like you who started their journeys in realizing their own future possibilities. 

Dakota Pivac: My name is Dakota. I'm 28 years old and I've got two young children aged six and eight, and I've been with ParentsNext now for about 12 months. And they've helped me realize that skills you get from being a parent can actually go into workforce. So, where I thought I didn't have any skills or I needed to learn everything all again, I actually had a lot. You learn a lot being a parent. 

I went to an Information Center with ParentsNext and they had a representative from Vic Jobs, Joeline, and she has been a massive help. She's so good, and she's made me feel comfortable and confident to even apply for jobs. And she's just so good with wording things, and she's amazing. 

Once I knew my kid was turning six and I knew I was going to have to go back into the job force, it scared the living daylights out of me. I haven't had a job in 10 years. When I was in high school in year 12, I found out I was pregnant with my eldest one. So, I left my job, finished school and then just became a mum. 

And then all of a sudden you get swamped and then you look for jobs and they say, you need this, this, this, this, and this. And I'm just like, "I don't have any of this. What am I going to do?" But then, they've showed me it's quite easy. And as long as you're willing to put yourself out there, people are willing to give you a chance. 

My mum was on Centrelink all my life. As I said, I'm one of nine. So she was always at home looking after the kids, never worked. We never had money for things that... special activities or anything like that. Always had hand-me-downs. I want my kids to have a good, happy life and not have everything on Centrelink. Not have, "Is there a Centrelink discount?" I don't want to worry about a Centrelink discount. I want to have money to just buy my kids whatever they need and feel good about it. 

My advice for new people coming in is don't be scared. Take that chance because they understand what you've just done. They understand you've looked after kids, and you don't have confidence, and you're scared. And they know how to help. They help you realize potential. 

Mihriban Balike: My name is Mihriban Balikel. I have five children. I am a widow mom. When I first came in, I was confused. I didn't know from where to start up. I wasn't looking like very interesting to it. But then when I continue to come into my appointments, and then I decide that I can change things in my life and start up from something. Which is what I did. I found a job. I did a receptionist course and which I'm going to continue next year as well. 

My children feel very proud. I mean always they felt proud with me, but now they can see a lot of changes. I feel more confidence. I gained a lot of trust to myself that I can go and do something. It's very easy. I want everyone to be out there. Earning your own income is very, very good. I feel so good about that. I'm not feeling hopeless. I'm feeling very proud, very proud. 

Siriporn Rodtuk: My name is Siri Rodtuk. I'm 39 years old. I'm turning 39. I have a little beautiful girl named Chanel. She's five years old. I only have one child. I am a single parent and I have been with APM for almost one year. I have an accounting background and admin background, but it wasn't accommodating me and my daughter because I'm a single mum, so that's a little bit hard with the time. I feel that it's important that I changed that, but I didn't know what I wanted to do. 

Upon meeting with APM, there was courses that were provided. And I just went in and had a look at one, did the research. But without APM providing that would have taken me a little bit longer to get into what I wanted to do. So, now I'm achieving my goals. I've been studying for almost 12 months. Next week would be my last lesson at Hammond Institute. 

But during my placement time, I was offered a position at my daughter's school. So, now I couldn't be happier. So, I am really grateful to APM for introducing the program to me. I'd just like to actually tell them that they can do it. If they believe that they can do it, then they can do it. If I can do it, you can do it. 

Anna Forgac: Hi, my name is Anna. I'm with ParentsNext with APM. So, during the time I've spent with Siri, I've seen leaps and bounds from her in terms of her motivation, her determination, and her passion to continue making her life better. Each time she comes to appointments, she tells me about all her achievements. And as a provider, it really reflects what we're about and I guess wanting that person to really achieve their goals and being that support. 

Marian Caruana: My name's Marian Caruana. I work for the Hammond Institute as the career advisor. Hammond Institute have been providing quality training since 2001. We offer courses ain certificate and diploma qualifications in Aged Care, Disability, Education Support, Community Services, and also Early Childhood. And I've had the pleasure of working closely with Anna from APM and referring more clients hopefully in the future with us. 

Tracey Jackson: So, thank you for giving APM the opportunity to share with you some of our parents' stories, introduce you to some of the networks and partnerships that we have across the country. We hope that you found some value in what we've shared with you today, and that we've left you with the opportunity to really think about what the right next step is for you on your own journey in establishing your possibilities for the future. We look forward to working with you.