Heaps of opportunities at successful ŌCHT job fair

Liam just wants to get on with it.

The former glass worker has been off work since he was injured in a workplace accident a few months back.

Now, he says itching to reskill, upskill and do whatever it takes to get back on the job.

That's what drew the Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust tenant to the ŌCHT Job Fair at the Aldersgate Centre this week.

Liam said he enjoyed working with ever-helpful ŌCHT Job Coach Lyn and he wanted to see what other supports and jobs there are in Christchurch.

“I've worked all my life - I know how to get a job. But injuring myself and being on long-term ACC has made things really hard and Lyn was really helpful when it came to knowing what driving certificate was best for me.

“I'm here to see what's out there and what other training might be good while I work on my health. ”

Liam and about 50 other attendees had plenty of options to choose from.

About a dozen organisations and support providers had stands at ŌCHT’s fair, the second since the successful inaugural fair last year.

Tenants could explore current job opportunities, connect with training and support resources, and take meaningful steps toward future job opportunities.

Support worker and former receptionist Diana celebrated her birthday by making strides towards a role in foundation skills education.

Diana’s from a long line of teachers and she‘s keen to teach some of the many home economics-related skills she uses as a support worker.

That’s why she enjoyed talking with people from Ara Te Pukenga, who told her more about the Level 4 Certificate in Health and Wellbeing.

Taking a break between stalls, she said it’s never too late to change careers and follow a path that maximises what you have to offer.

“I've been a support worker for so long that I want a change altogether,” she said. 

 "I come from a long line of teachers, and I know my dad will be so over the moon if I became one too!”  

Ara was among a diverse group of exhibitors that also included Literacy Aotearoa, Green by Nature, The Recruitment Network, Hagley Adult College, Glenharrow, Z Energy, Connected, Downer, and Dress for Success.

ŌCHT Job Coach Lyn organised the fair. She offered personalised guidance and up-to-date job market information, and helped tenants connect with the organisations and services who might help them.

She was pleased to see so many job seeking tenants learning more about the opportunities available in work and training.

Many more were ready to take part in Lyn’s work readiness meetups, a new initiative to support and guide job seeking tenants as they begin their employment journey.

The weekly meetups are an opportunity for tenants to come together to swap ideas and experiences, and to get help and guidance from Lyn.

The first meetup is at the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church on Monday, March 27, and then every Wednesday in April.