General News
23 February, 2023
Cairns local overcomes the odds
AFTER losing his business due to COVID, local man with a disability, Jeff Arcos, went through a challenging journey that would take him from unemployment to his dream job as a disability support worker.
Mr Arcos was left feeling defeated after COVID forced him to close the finance business he had founded over 12 years prior.
Finding himself unemployed, Mr Arcos was also deeply concerned about his employment options as someone with chronic shoulder and back pain.
“As COVID hit, we started to lose clients, companies couldn’t endorse me anymore, and suddenly I had to close my business,” Mr Arcos said.
“Apart from that, after years of working in front of a computer, I developed some physical issues in my shoulder and spine, which my doctor had been treating for years and years.
“Once I closed my business, I didn’t know what to do, and I’m already 57, so I can’t do any physical work, especially with my disability.”
Mr Arcos tried to find support through Centrelink, and they referred him to APM Employment Services.
“In my 27 years living in Australia, I went through many employment services organisations, but they were all helpless,” he said.
“I didn’t have much hope when Centrelink referred me to APM, but to my surprise, I found an angel in this company.”
The angel Mr Arcos refers to is APM Employment Services, Employment Consultant at the time, Glaiza Purcell, who would fight for his case until the end.
“When Jeff came to us, he had had a negative experience with employment agencies,” Ms Purcell said.
“I wanted to show him that I cared about his situation and was there to help.
“First, I wanted to help him find confidence, and I started to put forward ideas on how to use his transferrable skills.”
Mr Arcos said that it was Ms Purcell’s determination to help him that ended up landing him his ideal job as a disability support worker.
“Glaiza was a very persistent person because even I couldn’t, and she was the one who persisted in training me and helping me find a new job,” he said.
“She was always there, and she would cheer me up and say, ‘Jeff, don’t worry, you’re going to get through it’.”
Ms Purcell has been working with APM Employment for eight years, initially as an employment consultant; since then, she has been promoted to Business Manager within APM, where she manages other employment consultants.
With the help of Ms Purcell, Mr Arcos discovered an affinity for supporting others and found a job suitable for his practical skills in disability support.
“Going through his resume, we found he had volunteered with the church for many years and in other roles supporting people,” Ms Purcell said.
“I thought he would want to do something meaningful, giving back to the community.”
“The first step was finding an employer supportive in taking someone who didn’t have the experience and making sure of what Jeff felt about the position and if he was willing to give it a go.”
Mr Arcos went on to work for Abilities NQ as a disability support worker, and after the three-month trial, he was employed full-time.
“I don’t know where I would be without Glaiza,” he said. “And once I started helping other people, I started feeling better; I still have spine problems, but my shoulder completely recovered.
“Glaiza and APM were 100 per cent supportive; they would schedule meetings with companies, help you with your courses to apply for your yellow card, blue card, etc., and they really cater for people with disabilities.”
Referring to other locals living with disability who may be struggling to find a job, Mr Arcos said that it was critical to face your fears and ask for help.
“First of all, overcome the fear,” he said.
“I was afraid of doing something I hadn’t done before, so give it a try.
“And without help, I wouldn’t be where I am. Glaiza went beyond; she took my case with heart and passion for helping me.”
Ms Purcell said her most crucial advice was not to let disability take over.
“My advice is not to let your disability overcome your life,” she said.
“Most participants think that disability can stop them from doing everything entirely.
“But if you’re working with someone with injury, illness or disability and working towards finding an alternative avenue, it’s about giving them the confidence and courage to take that step.
“We want them to come out feeling like they can do anything.”
For more information on APM Employment Cairns, visit https://apm.net.au/find-us/cairns G
