Before joining Jigsaw, Alex – now a trainee in our Adelaide hub – had become disheartened with their high school’s flexible learning program. Large mixed cohorts, limited resources, and inconsistent support left them feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and without the guidance they needed to succeed.
“I basically kind of gave up… because no one was actually helping. We had 1 teacher, and 3 case workers who didn’t actually know the material we were being taught and the teacher was always off dealing with other students,” said Alex.
“I came into Jigsaw with little expectation and not much hope, but I’ve realised that it’s very different here. It has been much better, because I actually have people to rely on.”
Alex was relieved to find the support they were looking for at Jigsaw – personalised training, guidance, and a team invested in their success. Now, they’re working towards a career as a librarian, building the skills they’ll need to thrive and, for the first time, following a clear pathway to get there.
“Jigsaw has been very helpful. I came here with no work experience at all, I barely knew how to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, I had no customer service skills and I didn’t know where to go. Frankly, I didn’t really care at that point.”
“But I was able to build up over multiple weeks what I have now. I’ve learnt Word and all the tech skills you need for an office – like using the printer and the scanner and other technologies that I just didn’t have the hands-on experience with before. It has been good because I’ve gotten much more experience and I’ve received help figuring out where to go next.”
Aside from building their skills, Jigsaw has also given Alex some clear direction. After some one-on-one sessions with their trainers, Alex was able to decide on a career that will utilise their strengths and relate to their interests.
“They helped me figure out what career I wanted and how to get there. I’m working to be a librarian. I like organising and copying, and I don’t do well in loud, chaotic situations… a library is perfect for me,” said Alex.
While identifying their career goal was a major breakthrough, Alex was still faced with the question of how to actually reach it.
“There are so many different paths to being a librarian… But Jigsaw helped me choose the right path. I don’t have an ATAR, so they suggested I do a pathway course into TAFE and guided me on the steps I needed to take to get there.”
Jigsaw: the perfect place to prepare for a librarian career
Alex’s work experience at Jigsaw will prepare them well for a job as a librarian, with transferable skills and work experience that relate closely to their chosen career path.
“The skills that will be most helpful are attention to detail and being able to manage my time effectively, because you’re doing a lot of different tasks. At a library, there’s a lot of technology and data work, so these skills will be really useful,” said Alex.
Beyond the technical skills, Alex is most proud of the confidence they have gained during their time at Jigsaw – something that they see as just as important for their future career. These experiences are giving them both the practical knowledge and the self-assurance they need to step into a library role and thrive.
Step into our shoes: Alex’s call for inclusive workplaces
Alex’s time at Jigsaw is preparing them for mainstream employment, but it’s also giving them a deeper understanding of how underemployment among people with disability isn’t just about individuals being job-ready – it also depends on workplaces and employers creating an environment where people can succeed.
“My message would be to really think about us,” Alex said. “Step into our shoes and see what it’s actually like – imagine the impact of loud noises, bright lights, or inaccessible spaces. Think about what it would be like to navigate a workplace like this every day. People need access, and there are definitely improvements every mainstream business can make to be more inclusive.”
If you’re a person with disability with a goal of mainstream employment, or if you’re a business wishing to create a more inclusive workplace, head to https://jigsawaustralia.com.au/
About Jigsaw
Jigsaw is a social enterprise that provides an innovative pathway to mainstream employment for people with disability. By embedding a comprehensive skill-based training program within our commercial document and data management business, Jigsaw enables people with disability to achieve their employment goals at their own pace. Jigsaw’s holistic approach starts from the very basics of core work skills and supports trainees all the way through to transition to open employment with ongoing support and coaching once they have transitioned. Jigsaw is located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra.