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STEPS News
Damien’s Change of Direction. 22/10/2007
Early in 2007 the iconic Tasmanian company Blundstone, maker of boots in Hobart for almost 140 years, announced that they would be moving their operation offshore to remain competitive. 300 workers facing redundancy feared for their future. To ease their concerns, Blundstone workers were offered special assistance to find alternative work, under the Australian Government’s Textile, Clothing and Footwear Labour Adjustment Package.
| One employee who took up the offer early was a 31 year old family man, Damien Graham. Damien had worked for the boot maker in a variety of positions for over 13 years, but had taken a break a couple of years ago, and thus expected very little in terms of a redundancy payout. So, despite not having to leave Blundstone until September, Damien chose to register straight away with STEPS Employment and Training Solutions to find a new job. |  |
In early March Damien met with Tim Gardiner from STEPS and together they worked out a plan of attack to find suitable employment as quickly as possible. First steps included giving Damien advice about all the different ways of finding work, including using networks and private employment agencies, and developing a resume that would sell Damien’s skills and experience to potential employers. When a suitable position was identified that required Damien to upgrade his vehicle licence to a medium rigid truck endorsement, Tim organised the necessary training on the spot, paid for from Job Network funds. Finding suitable times for training and support that fitted in with Damien’s work schedule took some juggling, but Tim and other staff of STEPS Moonah found ways to make it all happen. Damien said STEPS “did everything for me!”
Within days of gaining his truck licence and armed with a good resume and good advice, Damien felt confident to accept some casual work with a local party hire firm. Tim from STEPS organised some new work clothing to set him up and Damien was on his way! Soon after, he was offered a permanent position with an aluminium screen manufacturer in the area and was placed in this position in early April, with only the Easter break between jobs.
Damien’s new employer said he is “just fitting in so well.” Manager Debbie Bone said that they thought it was great to be given the opportunity to employ people like Damien, who have been retrenched after so many years of reliable service at the Blundstone factory. She reckons other businesses should consider employing people who are being assisted by the Labour Adjustment Package, as they will find good team members ready to work.
Damien said that the best thing about his new position was the friendly team he was working with, and that he has enjoyed the challenge of learning new skills. The new job does not involve working shifts so his two young sons are enjoying having their dad home more often, but Damien said: “no one is happier about saying goodbye to shift work than me!”
With the construction industry experiencing strong and sustained growth, Damien’s future at Taylor Screens looks bright indeed. He recommends that other workers facing redundancy, and eligible for special assistance through the Labour Adjustment Package, get in touch with Job Network providers like STEPS Employment & Training Solutions and start working on plans for their future too.
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