Client Profile: Taurayi ChikavaEDN-Midwest
Name: Taurayi Chikava
D.O.B: 1970
Origin: Zimbabwe
Background:
Taurayi accessed EDN Services in May/June 2008 along with his wife Netsai. Taurayi and his family (Wife plus 2 Children) were settling in the Geraldton
area. Taurayi had a 15-year career history in customer service for a large Telco company in Zimbabwe but felt he had lived a meagre existence and was
keen to try any type of work. An ‘action plan’ was developed after a full consultation.
Services Provided:
- Career Builder
- Resume writing assistance
- Work Experience Placement
- Employer Contact
- Ticket To Work Funding
- Communication with GTO/Facilitate Traineeship
Barriers Identified:
It was initially identified that the client had significant work history in a single industry which had limited his experiences. His English was far
from fluent but Tau had an excellent grasp of written English and excellent listening skills. It was also identified that the client had no transport and
at the time was going through a license transfer accompanied with not having enough finances to obtain a vehicle.
Career Mapping:
It was important to match up the client’s previous experience to ensure that there was a comfortable transition into work. It was identified that customer
service and possibly business administration would be an excellent opportunity for Taurayi to obtain experience within an Australian workplace as well
as gaining more exposure to Australian culture. Taurayi undertook career guidance using the CareerBuilder program to ensure that the initial industry
and job preferences suited his skills, abilities and aims.
Action Plan:
It was identified that the client would require assistance in Job Search skills training and approaching employers. It was also identified that as a
gradual introduction into work in Australia that he undertake work experience in order to assist in his assimilation into an Australian workplace.
Two major areas were highlighted, being customer service and office/administrative work.
Work Experience:
Manager, Leon Norris advised EDN consultant (John Savill) that he had recently met Geraldton Aquarena manager Colin Hassell and discussed options
of employing a trainee from a CaLD background. The Aquarena had a large amount of young kids from CaLD backgrounds learning to swim but the parents
were hard to engage and reluctant to take up learn to swim classes themselves. Leon suggested that having a trainee with a similar background
at the Aquarena may assist with engaging the parents. A meeting was arranged with Taurayi and Colin. The initial meeting was positive with Tau
placed into 2 weeks of work experience. Due to the distance Tau needed to travel from home to work without public transport it was agreed to
fund a pushbike through Joblink Midwest’s Ticket To Work Project. Tau was visited after three days, and again during the second week where
another meeting was set up with the employer, the result being, Taurayi was offered a position to undertake Sport and recreation
Traineeship (Cert II Level – Pool Operations) to eventually become a lifeguard.
Engaging the RTO and the Traineeship:
EDN consulted with GTO Apprenticeship and Traineeship Company, Midwest and ApprentiCentre who advised that to ensure the traineeship had every chance
of success it would be wise to discuss the traineeship and client details with the prospective RTO. The traineeship was commenced through
Royal Life Saving W.A. after discussions with trainer Rob Munce. Taurayi underwent interview process followed by an induction by ATC Midwest.
For the initial period, Taurayi was visited regularly to ensure comfortable transition into the workplace. Having not ever swum before, Taurayi
was also placed into and intensive learn to swim program. After the initial period, visit intervals were lengthened with contact also continuing
with GTO and RTO to ascertain process.
Support Provided:
EDN Midwest provided Career Development and counselling support, Joblink Midwest financial assistance to buy a bike, helmet and lock up chain
for Taurayi to get to work. General work experience insurance through EDN ensured that the client was covered in case of injury and so that the
City of Geraldton-Greenough was not liable for any accidents. During all steps in the process, the client was closely supported and had meetings
and appointments facilitated until he became comfortable in his surroundings. Support from the RTO was exceptional with one to one training delivery
being provided on the job during quarterly regional visits by Rob Munce. The workplace was also very supportive in all training aspects.
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Final Outcomes:
Taurayi has now completed the theoretical/bookwork 10 months into his traineeship as well as now having learnt to swim
he confidently does 4 swimming strokes). He will be undertaking assessment for his Bronze Medallion, Senior First Aid Certificate and
Pool Life Guard accreditation. Further employment as a full time lifeguard at the Aquarena looks guaranteed as their numbers in Learn to
Swim classes has increased considerably and Tau is a very popular character at the Aquarena. Taurayi now has a W.A driver’s license
and has bought his first car. His family are doing well with is wife working in Geraldton and undergoing a bridging course to become a Registered
Nurse with his children going to school locally.
Tau regularly sends money home and tells of how he had to feed his family on a loaf of bread and vegies each week. Tau now swims every day and
is an ambassador to others from land-locked countries demonstrating how at the age of 38 he has not only learnt to swim but also to save lives
as a lifeguard.
