NORTH QUEENSLAND – A job can literally change lives – just ask Leigh Billman from Townsville, who got a job as part of the MAX Employment Greatest Gift campaign.
After being unemployed on and off for six years, MAX Employment worked with Leigh over a 12-month period providing training and support before placing him at Pickerings Auto.
Leigh, who is known as Le-Roy to his new workmates, credits his new job as a car detailer with turning his life around.
And the MAX Employment team are on a mission to do the same for other job seekers. They are calling on more employers to put a job forward so they can find 10,000 jobs for unemployed people across Australia and give them the greatest gift for Christmas.
Leigh said before getting his job with Pickerings, he had no direction and used to turn to alcohol to break up the monotony of his days.
“I am so happy with my new job and MAX were really great – they really helped get me ready for the interview including buying me clothes and driving me to the interview,” he said.
“I love everything about my new job. Pickerings Auto is a great company and the guys I work with are fantastic. Getting this job has changed my life. My family will have the best Christmas ever this year!”
And the job placement has been great for Pickerings Auto as well. Pre-Delivery Manager Adam Bepole said Leigh had exceeded their expectations.
“Leigh is a pleasure to have around and has fitted in perfectly.”
Mr Bepole said they had been working with MAX Employment for years so didn’t hesitate to hire Leigh on their recommendation.
“We always look for reliability and initiative in our employees and the team at MAX know that. We have had so much success with them and they help arrange employment training and government incentives for the employees they bring to us as well.”
MAXNetWork Managing Director Deborah Homewood said there were more than 600,000 families in Australia with children under 15 years of age where neither parent was working.*
“This has serious impacts not just economically but in terms of the wellbeing of the whole family.
“Many of us don’t have to face these challenges so we forget, but think about when you got your first job, or when you were congratulated for a job well done – it is not just about the advantages that come with bringing home a pay cheque but also the improved physical and mental health benefits.
“This is why we are urging employers everywhere to think about whether they have a job opportunity to offer and join us in giving someone that greatest gift.”
As part of the Job Services Australia network, MAX Employment offers no cost recruitment services to employers. Employers may also be eligible to receive government financial assistance to help with the cost of hiring and training new employees.
Ms Homewood said ideally MAX Employment would like to find long-term positions, either full-time or part-time, but she said even a seasonal job would provide a job seeker with additional income, and provide new skills and experience.
She said the jobs could be across any industry including hospitality, retail, business administration, transport and logistics, trade and the care industry including aged and childcare.
“Giving people a job improves their financial situation and helps them house and feed their families. It also improves their self-worth and makes them more confident. All this has a ripple effect, impacting not only on the person with the job but on their family, their friends and their community.
“Employers can register at our website – www.maxjobs.com.au – or freecall 1800 625 350.
“MAX Employment encourages you to register and be part of the campaign regardless of whether you have a current vacant position.”
Ms Homewood said while the primary goal of the campaign was to help more people find employment, MAX Employment would also make a charity donation to help even more low-income families.
In 2011, the MAX Employment Christmas jobs campaign secured over 10,000 new jobs and MAX Employment also donated $100,000 to The Smith Family further assisting Australian families experiencing hardship.
“So if you are an employer, register online – www.maxjobs.com.au – or call us today – freecall 1800 625 350. Together we can make a huge impact, giving people the greatest gift for Christmas.”
