Emma's continued success since graduating from Program One

Emma graduated from the very first Step Up Latrobe Valley program back in 2018.

Four years on and Emma is working two jobs and is currently looking at entering TAFE. She wants to complete a support worker course so that she is able to either work with young people or people with a disability.

Emma was fortunate enough to be part of the co-design team for the program. During one of the meetings, a Ladder staff member approached her and spoke to her in depth about Ladder and it really sparked her interest.

I thought why not give it a try if the offer was there.

Since that decision, Emma has never looked back.

Emma had taken away so much from the program but the biggest thing for her was that she believed she found her voice.

(It) gave me confidence, I was very shy and couldn't speak for myself when I joined the program.

Recently, Emma went to a drive-through coffee shop to hand in her resume. They completed an on-the-spot interview with Emma and she wasn't nervous at all. She believes the skills that she learnt in the Ladder program gave her the knowledge and confidence to do the impromptu interview successfully.

Emma's advice to other young people who are thinking about entering the program is to:

Try it all, information, advice, everything! Just take it all in as it definitely helps even years down the track.