With the support of Mobo, and the encouragement of his family, Heath has found his way to prosper in an employment opportunity that suits his needs and aspirations.

Heath lives with learning difficulties, which led to him leave school in year 10 as he found the rigidity of the learning environment unable to support his needs. Heath was determined to achieve his dreams of employment. He wanted to find a fulfilling and long-term career in the horticulture industry, particularly in a role that gave him hands on experience in outdoor spaces where he could prosper.

After visiting our Disability Employment Services Office in Victor Harbor, and speaking to the team with his parents, Heath decided to become a voluntary client of the Open Employment Pathways at Mobo. After several appointments and equipped with a strong understanding of the type of jobs that Heath wanted to pursue, the team at Victor Harbor got in touch with their local contacts at plant nurseries and golf clubs to find a placement for Heath. Unfortunately, as the reverse marketing for Heath occurred during winter, the nurseries and golf clubs’ grounds need far less tending, the team was ultimately unsuccessful.

The Employment Services Officer who manages Heath’s case, Ashy, came up with another idea – Pitchford Produce in Currency Creek. Multiple meetings with the team at Pitchford resulted in Heath being offered a probationary period of work. Heath attended 8 hours per week, and while adapting to the new environment did prove challenging to start, Heath displayed significant determination, as well as having unwavering support from his family and the team at Mobo.

During the early days, Heath was put to work constructing crates and boxes that the produce grown at Pitchford Farm would be transported in, managing around 74 crates per hour. In a later meeting with Heath and the team from Mobo, Pitchford managers highlighted the need for Heath to build his skills to reduce the amount of time to produce these crates, which would help him keep up with the demands of the role and succeed.

Jumping at the opportunity to improve his efficiency and speed, Mobo worked with Heath to find a new way to approach the task, and within a short time of putting this new method into practice, Heath was able to complete upwards of 70 crates in less than 25 minutes – doubling his efficiency level on the job!

With the massive increase in his working speed, Heath has earned his way to working almost full-time hours, something he, his family, and the team at Mobo couldn’t be happier for him to achieve! With that has come brand new opportunities for Heath in the workplace, he’s been able to take on multiple other tasks in the warehouse with confidence and speed and no longer needs to be supervised on the job, he’s even put his hand up to go for his forklift licence, which can only broaden his capabilities in employment even further. On top of always being on time for his shifts, Heath has taken to being a guiding help to any new members of the team and is always happy to support them to prosper in the workplace.

Heath has been empowered in employment at Pitchford Produce for more than a year now. Not only has Heath gained employment in a role he loves and where he and his workplace prosper, Heath has discovered his financial freedom. This has allowed him to put money aside for his bright future, plus being able to make plans to pay his own way on holidays with his family, and even to purchase a jet ski!

Heath is a perfect example of what can happen with the determination to go out and get what he wants, grabbing a hold of every opportunity that comes his way. He continues to grow and improve and accomplish his dreams. His tenacity and ability to perform at work is not only a credit to Heath, but also to, his parents, his new friends at work, his managers, and the team at Mobo. We couldn’t be prouder of just how much he has achieved already and can’t wait to see what Heath’s bright future holds!

If you are like Heath and need support finding and settling into employment where you can prosper, reach out to Mobo’s Disability Employment Services Offices. With 6 locations throughout metropolitan and regional South Australia, we have the means to support you not only to find employment, but to ensure that your placement prioritises understanding and supporting your unique circumstances, while empowering you to prosper in a role you love. Get in touch with Mobo today by giving us a call on 08 8130 1800 or email us at
[email protected]