Introduction
AKG empowers people and communities to thrive, through employment, health and education. We deliver Workforce Australia – the Australian Government’s employment services program – as part of our services.
The Starting Point
Tyler received a childhood diagnosis of memory issues and cognitive delays. Fast-paced tasks had always been a struggle, and that belief stuck — carried into adulthood long after the original assessment.
The practical consequences were clear:
- No defined career direction
- Very little work experience
- A firm internal boundary around what kind of work was possible
So when AKG Job Coach Cate suggested applying for an entry-level role with a large employer, Tyler’s response was immediate: “I can’t do that type of work.”
The Turning Point
Cate didn’t argue. She asked a question instead:
Had Tyler tried this kind of work recently — or was this belief based on how things were years ago?
Drawing on her science background, Cate explained the concept of neuroplasticity: the brain’s capacity to form new neural pathways throughout life. Something difficult at eight years old isn’t necessarily impossible at twenty.
She added a second reframe, just as important as the first. There was no failure in trying. Even if the role didn’t work out, Tyler would walk away with a real answer rather than an old assumption.
Tyler applied, got an interview and was offered a position to start the following week.
Outcomes
The result exceeded Tyler’s own expectations:
- Thriving from day one in the role
- Regularly picked up for extra shifts
- Taken on weekend supervisor duties
- Confidently manages workplace paperwork — another task once believed to be out of reach
- On track to join the logistics team next year
Ongoing Support
Placement was the beginning, not the end. Cate provided consistent support throughout. When Tyler worried they’d made a mistake at work, Cate reassured them that mistakes are a normal part of learning — then helped build practical strategies to move forward with confidence.
Conclusion
The work we do at AKG goes beyond securing placements. We help people build capacity, resilience and self-belief — because a job lasts as long as the confidence underpinning it.
Sometimes the biggest barrier isn’t the role. It’s the belief that you can’t do it. And sometimes all it takes is someone asking whether that belief is still true.
