Nick
“It’s great to have the freedom and flexibility that comes with having a job.”
We love supporting young people on the path to steady employment. With a strong friend group and support from CCS Disability Action, Nick secured a position where he can thrive. Keep reading to find out about his journey.
Nick.
Tauranga-native Nick has a steady job and an eye to the future. The sociable 22-year-old lives at home with his dad who is a single parent to both Nick and his younger brother Ryan, with both boys experiencing neurodivergence.
Nick is a deep thinker, has a sharp mind for social issues and has many interests, including history. He has an impairment that can make studying and everyday interactions challenging, but Nick has a strong group of school friends who can be relied upon for a beer, a yarn and a laugh to brighten his week.
Gareth, coordinator for CCS Disability Action’s Bay of Plenty branch is another positive relationship in Nick’s life. The pair have known each other for over five years, first meeting when Nick was referred to the organisation for help finding a post-school pathway that lined up with his long-term aspirations.
Nick left school at 17 without getting quite enough NCEA credits to meet the Level 1 standard. He tried an automotive course, then tested the waters with carpentry. Unfortunately – despite Nick’s best efforts – he found neither was a good match for his skills and interests.
“Nick has a lot going for him,” explains Gareth. “He is a nice lad, he’s keen to fit in and – while it might not be reflected in his qualifications – he is extremely bright and articulate. His goal was to get a job and I knew he had heaps of potential – we were both determined to get him that first foothold in his employment journey.”
The pair polished up his CV and worked together to get it out to multiple employers in the tight Bay of Plenty labour market.
Nick has now been working in the warehouse of Kmart Tauranga for two years. While it might not be the ‘dream job’ it is steady work that helps give Nick the self-determination that any 20-something could hope for. “It pays well, and I am close to full-time, so it’s great to have the freedom and flexibility that comes with having a job.”
Gareth.
Another key aspect of their work together was coaching Nick to have the right mindset to meet expectations of a workplace – and supporting him as he settled into work, something that wasn’t easy at first.
“We worked together to ensure Nick could thrive. This included making sure he understood what was expected of him, coaching him to work alongside others who were quite different to him and essential skills like time management and communication,” explains Gareth.
Nick is a determined person and worked hard to get a restricted driver’s license – something that is well-known to be challenging. “I’m now saving for a car, hopefully, a decent one,” he says with a laugh.
He is currently working towards his full license, something that will be essential if he is to move into one of the options he is considering as his next step. “I’m thinking about truck driving or maybe welding – but Gareth and I have also looked at management roles too and what might be possible there.”
When asked what he is looking forward to next, Nick is keen to build his independence further. “I’d like to move out of home and into a flat,” he says.
Something that the team at CCS Disability Action will be ready and willing to support him with if needed.