Corey goes from groundwork to growth with Transition to Work

Corey has always been someone who likes to work with his hands. 

With a background in manual labour and a passion for the outdoors, he knew the landscaping industry was where he belonged.

However, turning that passion into a stable, long-term career required more than just hard work - it required the right support network and a clear path forward.

Before connecting with APM Bongaree, Corey found himself in a cycle of casual labour roles that offered little security.

Living in an area with limited public transport and without a driver’s licence, simply getting to a job site was a daily hurdle.

Beyond these barriers, Corey often struggled with the pressure of unfamiliar tasks.

When things felt overwhelming, he would sometimes freeze or find it difficult to ask for help, making it hard to build the confidence he needed to thrive.

The turning point came when Corey joined the Transition to Work program at APM.

His Youth Support Worker, Kelly, focused on building a foundation of trust.

By creating a safe, open space for Corey to express his anxieties, Kelly became a reliable sounding board.

To bridge the practical gaps, APM provided travel cards for transport, organised his personal protective equipment and work clothes, and helped him secure a white card for site access.

This tailored approach meant Corey could focus on his professional development.

The results of this partnership speak for themselves.

Corey successfully enrolled in and completed a Certificate III in Landscape Construction at Kia Ora Training.

Under the guidance of his trainer, Tom, Corey mastered technical skills like leveling soil, laying pavers, and constructing retaining walls.

With his new qualification in hand, Corey didn’t stop there. He has since updated his resume to reflect his professional status and is currently working toward his forklift licence and his learner permit to solve his transport challenges for good.

Corey says much of his progress is down to the encouragement he received from Kelly and the guidance from Tom.

“My youth support worker helped me with a lot of things. She was a great listener whenever things got a bit tough and gave great advice,” he says.

Reflecting on his growth, he adds, “It was hard for me to find my way again with work, then the opportunity to train with Kia Ora and gain my qualification boosted my confidence and helped me adapt to my abilities.”

With his qualification secured and his confidence at an all-time high, Corey is now ready to take on sustainable roles in the landscaping world.

He is no longer just looking for a job, he is building a career.

If you are looking for support to find your own path or are an employer looking to add skilled, dedicated workers to your team, contact APM today to see how we can work together.