Adam is the first individual AKG placed into employment under the new Inclusive Employment Australia program that commenced in November 2025.
Adam was feeling deflated and defeated due to a long-term work-related physical injury when he approached AKG last year.
Shana, Adam’s Job Coach, noticed that he would always light up whenever he reminisced about a previous role he had as a sales assistant selling and servicing motorbikes. So, Shana suggested that they worked on getting his old role back. Shana contacted Adam’s old employer, and within days Adam was offered his old job back!
Adam is currently working in a permanent part-time role, with the goal of moving into full-time work as his recovery improves.
For Adam, getting back into employment wasn’t a skills-and-applications problem. The team at AKG recognise that for many people experiencing poor mental health and low confidence, returning to work first requires rebuilding readiness and capacity.
Job Coaches focus on helping individuals develop sustainable momentum and make realistic decisions about suitable work options and necessary adjustments. This foundation supports strong self-advocacy, better job matching, and ultimately a safer, more sustainable return to work.
HOW SHANA HELPED ADAM:
- Interview practice to build confidence
- Providing constructive feedback on Adam’s interview techniques
- Identifying potential roadblocks -> Providing solutions to overcome
- Using AKG’s modules on building resilience to overcome the fear of rejection and failure
- Reminding Adam of his achievements
- Most importantly, Shana worked within a person-centred approach: listening, reflecting, and helping Adam find their own clarity.
FEELING HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD ALLOWED ADAM TO:
- Process his own emotions and develop his own insights
- Grow in self-awareness and self-regulation to be able to take more constructive next steps
- Increase his readiness for change
- Practise self-advocacy and problem-solving (skills he would need in the workplace).
