Ian’s journey shows that mainstream youth employment services are ideally placed to support young people with disability, not by separating them, but by including them in real-world opportunities alongside their peers. When services like YES invest deeply in young people through listening, tailored support, and access to practical experiences, they help unlock individual strengths and pathways that might otherwise go unseen.
When Ian first walked into Youth Employment Services (YES) in Penrith, NSW, he was looking for help to find a job, a step encouraged by Centrelink, where he’d gone to ask for support as a jobseeker. He had no idea just how far the journey would take him. From the moment he arrived, he was welcomed into a calm, friendly space that made a lasting impression: “Cool place, I could live here!” he said with a smile.
Ian had always thrived in hands-on, practical environments. At school, he excelled in woodwork, proudly building a heavy-duty TV cabinet for his mum. He also gained valuable experience working in a local pizza shop, handling everything from food prep to making dough, earning certificates in First Aid and Food Safety along the way.
At 20 years old, Ian began working with YES with the goal of finding a job that suited him. His employment coaches focused on getting to know him as an individual, his strengths, interests, and what helped him do his best work. Early on, Ian mentioned wanting to be a garbage truck driver. Through conversation, the team discovered this dream stemmed from childhood, watching the trucks and being fascinated by how the machinery worked. It was an insight that highlighted Ian’s love of understanding how things work and his preference for active, hands-on roles.
Later, Ian also shared that he lives with ADHD, ODD, and is on the autism spectrum. Rather than define him by these diagnoses, the team used their growing understanding of Ian to tailor support YES supported Ian to enrol in Productivity Bootcamp, an 8-week trade sampler program where he explored a range of trades including paving, concreting, electrical, carpentry, and more. As the program progressed, staff noticed Ian struggling to focus in the afternoons as his ADHD medication wore off.
They worked with him to develop strategies to manage this, helping him slow down, stay on track, and build his confidence.
Ian reflected: I learnt how to prioritise stuff. Because of my ADHD and autism, my meds wear off in the afternoon and my brain goes into overdrive. I had to learn to slow down and think. It’s helped me in my job at Suregreen.
At a YES employer expo, Ian met Wayne from Suregreen, a landscaping business. Drawn in by photos of equipment at Wayne’s booth, Ian mentioned his experience mowing lawns for family to Wayne. With encouragement from his employment coach, Fina, he shared his resume.
Wayne was looking for apprentices—a big leap—but with YES's support, he agreed to give Ian a shot as a casual laborer.
“I said I would give it a go. It was the best decision I have ever made,” Ian later said.
YES supported Ian to complete the necessary employment checks, and he began work at Suregreen. His first day was physically demanding, working in clay to replace plants, but he was undeterred.
Soon, Ian’s dedication paid off. Starting with just a few days a week, he quickly became the first casual worker to be promoted to full-time.
Wayne has since offered to support Ian in exploring an apprenticeship, which he is open to, particularly in areas like plant care and pest treatment. He’s aware that TAFE study could be challenging and is grateful for the continued support that is being offered by Suregreen for when he is ready to take up the opportunity.
While the early mornings and balancing life were initially tough, Ian is thriving. He’s learning, growing, and most importantly, he loves his job: “I get to go to new places and meet new people.”
Ian’s journey shows that mainstream youth employment services are ideally placed to support young people with disability, not by separating them, but by including them in real-world opportunities alongside their peers. When services like YES invest deeply in young people through listening, tailored support, and access to practical experiences, they help unlock individual strengths and pathways that might otherwise go unseen.
These kinds of hands-on experiences give young people a powerful alternative to traditional classroom learning, a chance to build confidence, discover what energises them, and learn by doing. For Ian, it sparked skill development, a clearer sense of purpose, and a full-time job doing work he genuinely enjoys. When young people are supported to test themselves in the real world, it doesn’t just lead to employment, it builds belief in what’s possible, and lays the foundation for meaningful, lasting careers.
