Katrina’s Story
When Katrina first came through the doors at National Joblink (NJL), she was facing a few significant challenges. She was experiencing housing instability, had never held a job or engaged in further study, and didn’t have a working bank account or reliable transport. Unsure of what she wanted for her future, Katrina felt overwhelmed, anxious, and stuck. She had started some engagement through Back OnTrack but was finding it hard to stay involved.
Her first steps were small, but they mattered. With support from the Transition to Work (TtW) team, Katrina visited her local bank to reactivate her account—something she felt extremely anxious doing alone. TtW helped with every step, from making appointments to providing transport and reassurance. Housing was a critical issue, TtW scheduled and attended a Housing Connect appointment with Katrina, during which a priority housing application was submitted.
Another major achievement was in building Katrina’s independence. With no transport options and only 20 hours logged on her learner licence, Katrina’s mentor helped her complete paperwork and schedule professional lessons through National Joblink driving school. After failing her first provisional driving assessment, TtW encouraged her to keep going. With more support, lessons, and growing confidence, Katrina passed her second attempt—an incredible personal milestone.
Along the way, TtW helped Katrina replace all her lost ID, secure a new mobile phone, and reconnect with Centrelink, MyGov, and the Workforce Australia platform. Each of these steps helped rebuild her access to essential services and future opportunities. Barriers once felt overwhelming began to shift. Katrina now has a provisional driver’s licence, significantly reducing transport issues. Her anxiety has eased as she continues to gain confidence and clarity. With NJL’s ongoing support, she’s now working toward obtaining her forklift licence to gain employment within the
warehousing sector.
Katrina’s story is one of persistence, trust, and support. She’s still on her journey, but now she’s driving it forward.
“My Mentor at NJL has persistently kept me motivated and on track to take the steps to move forward in my life.”
