Lewis reels in his dream job

Lewis loves fishing. But when he first connected with APM, we didn’t know that. 

He wasn’t sure where his life was heading, had no work experience, and getting around was difficult without a licence. 

Two years later, he’s not only landed his dream job at BCF, but he’s also ready to catch some bigger fish.

The first thing Lewis’s APM Business Manager, Ashlee, did was take time to build trust and encourage him to open up about what he really wanted. 

That’s when he shared his passion for fishing and his dream of working at BCF.

Now that we knew what he wanted to catch, we set about ‘preparing the tackle box’. 

Ashlee arranged driving lessons and connected him to counselling services for extra support. 

Then his APM Employment Consultant, Emma, stepped in to build his routine and communication skills. She scheduled weekly appointments, helping him grow more comfortable in a structured environment.

When a job at BCF came up, Lewis went for an interview, but without prior experience, BCF didn’t bite, and he didn’t get the role. 

However, one thing a fisherman like Lewis knows is that patience and preparation are what count.

With Emma’s encouragement, he kept pushing ahead, and they celebrated every achievement along the way, like the day he got his licence.

And then he hooked it.

Emma put Lewis forward for a Christmas Casual role at BCF, and everything changed. He got the job. 

Despite initial nerves, he settled in well. With ongoing support, including counselling to help with the transition, he continued to show up and grow in confidence.

Next, he reeled in the big one.

A year later, BCF offered him a permanent position. 

Now, a year and a half after, he’s a changed man - confident, independent, and thriving. When Ashlee visited the store recently, she almost didn’t recognise him. 

He looked great and was chatting with customers as if he’d been doing it for years.

So now we’re gonna need a bigger boat. With financial independence, Lewis has made a bigger dream come true. 

He’s bought his own boat. And to thank Ashlee and Emma for believing in him, he surprised them with flowers and chocolates.

Looking back, Lewis asked Ashlee, “Did you ever think two years ago that I’d be here today?”

Of course, she couldn’t be prouder of how far he’s come.