Hospitality Project - Transition 2 Work

Monday 24th November was opening day of the first Hospitality Lifestyle Transition 2 Work program run by MAXIMUS Solutions Australia and MAX Employment. This project was first in more ways than one as this was a residential program with a strong focus on motivation, attitude, teamwork, cooperation, healthy lifestyle habits, nutrition, goal setting, hospitality skills and paid work experience culminating in a graduation ceremony at the MAXNetWork All Staff Conference at the York Fairmont Resort, Leura, NSW.

16 clients registered as long term unemployed with MAX Employment sites across Sydney, and MAXIMUS Solutions Training Manager Robert Stothard went into lockdown, not the lock up, at the Leura Gardens Resort, Leura, Blue Mountains and it was a bus trip full of expectation and excitement. This was an opportunity for a couple of clients to be away from home for the very first time, others had to share rooms for the first time in their lives; there were no shops nearby and all the group had was each other for companionship, which did test the interpersonal skills of some.
Each day would commence at approximately 6.30am with light physical activity in some atrocious weather conditions, and throughout it all, the clients remained committed to the cause for their own personal development and to enhance their future employment opportunities.

For many, this was an incredibly tough learning curve. There was one expulsion, tears, tantrums, complaints, aches and pains, many moments of personal discovery, bruised egos, frayed tempers, new friendships borne, laughs, limited sleep, recreational activities and above all, personal achievement. In between all of this, the clients also completed a full MSA Introduction to Hospitality course, a NSW RSA Certificate with AMSTAR Learning Ltd, practical work experience which culminated with the remaining 12 clients being part of the York Fairmont Resort hospitality team for the MAXNetWork All Staff Conference on 5th December 2009.

With the assistance of an Exercise Physiologist and Health and training staff from MAXIMUS Solutions Australia, the clients had a wonderful journey of self-discovery.

12 clients resisted the temptation to give up, worked hard, and have proven to themselves that work is not a ‘forbidden’ word and that anything is possible.

During the closing session of the MAXNetWork All Staff Conference on 6th December 2009, the 12 participants were introduced one by one onto stage to receive their Certificates in front of over 300 staff from MAXNetwork across Australia. The participants were then given a standing ovation as they walked through the auditorium and all described this as ‘The Most Amazing Moment of my life’.

There was not a staff member in the room who was not impacted by this project and it will remain a highlight for many years to come.

Where are they now…?

Out of the 12 clients who successfully completed the Hospitality Lifestyle Program in Leura NSW, 1 has relocated to Queensland and gained employment, 1 has commenced full-time study and 8 have successfully transitioned into employment. Two of the participants continue to undertake further counselling to help them overcome their life barriers to ensure that they can successfully transition into long term employment.

The Hospitality Lifestyle Project gave these 12 young people a magnificent and life changing experience and they all continue to develop and flourish in their own different ways - they now all have focus and feel positive about their individuals future… something that was a distant dream prior to participating in the program.

The Hospitality Lifestyle Program was an initiative of MAXIMUS Solutions Australia and MAX Employment - an integrated working model to help achieve our motto, of:

‘Finding Jobs, Changing Lives’.