Achievers recognised for employment success

Two APM Employment Services participants have been recognised for their life-changing achievements by Australia's top employment services association.

Holly-May Pulbrook and Quinn Pollard, participants in APM's Workforce Australia support program, were finalists in the prestigious National Employment Services Association's Achiever of the Year Award.

The annual NESA Awards for Excellence recognises participants of employment programs who have overcome extraordinary disadvantage to achieve their job success. 

Often through dedicated commitment and hard work to engage with the program and take productive steps to future employment. 

Their recognition comes after APM Employment Services’ Hafez Zamani was named NESA’s Employment Consultant of the Year for 2023.

Both Holly-May and Quinn attended an awards ceremony in Brisbane were they were recognised for their success with employment organisations and people from across Australia.

See below for more detail's about how Holly-May and Quinn's journey through the program and how they overcome huge challenges to find success.

Holly-May’s epic transformation

Holly-May’s recognition as a finalist comes as no surprise to her support team at APM Employment Services Kiama.

Holly-May joined the Workforce Australia program looking for stability and support to reach her goals.

She faced several personal challenges, including mental health conditions and being out of work for over seven years, but she faced them head on with great resilience and determination to find a better life.

Driving her to make a change was her main goal - to create a stable home and regain custody of her daughter, which required financial security through a job.

With help from her employment consultants, Taleah and Jasper, Holly-May got started on turning her life around.

She took a cleaning job to ease financial stress and went to counselling to manage her mental health while also completing parenting and health related courses.

Holly-May grew more confident as her experience grew.

Showing great initiative, Holly-May switched to a career in traffic control, enrolling and completing several training courses, earning her White Card, Red Card, and various machinery tickets.

Her hard work and determination paid off when she got a job as a traffic controller with Traffic Professionals in Nowra.

This was a big step, showing she could overcome personal and professional challenges.

And with a steady income, Holly-May was able to rent a house and create a stable environment for herself and her daughter, eventually regaining custody.

Since then, Holly-May’s continued working towards her career goals.

She recently completed her Red Card and Heavy Machinery ticket, with the aim for leadership roles in traffic control.

As Holly-May nears a full year of employment, her success story is an incredible example for other people facing similar challenges.

Her journey with APM Employment Services celebrates hard work, perseverance, and the power of having a job.

Quinn’s determination to help support his grandparents

NESA’s recognition celebrates Quinn's remarkable journey of overcoming challenges and achieving his employment goals.

Quinn, a proud young Aboriginal Biripi and Gamilaroi male, relocated from Taree to the Central Coast to live with his supportive grandparents.

With limited support growing up and a history of trouble with the police, Quinn decided to turn his life around. His grandmother, Julie, welcomed him with open arms, providing a stable environment for him to pursue his goals.

Initially enrolled in Bateau Bay High School, Quinn quickly realised he wanted to start working to support his grandparents.

Through the Bungree Aboriginal Association, Quinn was introduced to APM Indigenous Specialist Employment Services. 

APM is a specialist provider of the service for First Nations peoples as part of Workforce Australia.

With the guidance of his case manager, Tyson Samuel, and the support of APM, Quinn began his journey towards employment.

Quinn's determination and willingness to learn were clear from the start.

He completed a White Card course, essential for construction work, and was soon introduced to Kadyn Drainage, a local employer known for supporting disadvantaged youth.

Quinn's commitment to his new role, which included a rigorous gym program to build self-esteem and physical strength, showcased his dedication.

Despite his young age and lack of experience, Quinn's positive attitude and drive led him to secure his first job.

He continued to upskill, completing a Certificate III in Construction and starting a Roofing Apprenticeship. Quinn's reliability and can-do attitude quickly made him a valued employee and a role model for others.

Quinn's self-determination and the unwavering support from his family and APM shows how people can pursue their goals, no matter the obstacles.