For Charlea, a participant in our Observational Work Experience program, a recent afternoon at Civic’s cafe in North Nowra was all about turning her existing barista skills into the real-world confidence she needs to jump into a new career.

Having previously completed a barista course, Charlea knew the theory but felt she needed more ‘real-world’ practice. That’s where Matt, Kate and the team at Civic’s Cafe stepped in.

The team provided Charlea with a comprehensive afternoon of work experience, starting with the essentials: a full rundown of Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) and the professional expectations of a cafe environment.

Then came the fun part: the hands-on experience. Charlea took the lead, managing the end-to-end process of taking an order and crafting the perfect cup. Her ‘customer’ for the day? Her partner, Slade, was treated to his personal favourite, a Mocha with three sugars! The pride on Charlea’s face as she presented the final product (as seen in the photo!) says it all.

The day was a win –all round. While Charlea was busy mastering the coffee machine, Slade was inspired by the environment and opportunities available. We are thrilled to share that Slade is now in the process of his direct registration with Civic IEA to help him find his own path into the workforce.

A huge thank you to the North Nowra team for fostering such a supportive learning environment, and a massive well done to Charlea for taking this brave next step!

If you or someone you know is looking to build workplace confidence like Charlea, or needs support finding the right job like Slade, reach out to the Civic IEA team today by calling 1300 081 120 or email IEA@civic.org.au