Janice Chekamba

Janice Chekamba, like many other people, was unsure of her future when she finished school, however she has now forged a successful career for herself at the Endeavour Foundation. Janice, now 26, finished school in 2014 and studied business for two years as part of her foundation year.

Her mum encouraged her to try nursing, however she found that was not suited to her either. Janice then decided to pursue a career in aged care, which she continued until two years ago. She secured a role via Edmen Community Staffing Solutions, which sub contracts to the Endeavour Foundation.

Janice worked in disability support in Innisfail, with duties including assisting with daily activities, accompanying clients to appointments, arts and crafts and participating in activities suited to the clients’ individual interests. The activities are designed to improve participants’ quality of life and to facilitate an active lifestyle.

At the end of 2023, Janice decided to pursue a different career direction after seeing a job advertisement for a business traineeship at the Endeavour Foundation. “It was scary at first after working in disabilities and aged care, but I decided to give it a go to see what would happen,” she said. Janice is now enjoying her role at the Endeavour Foundation, liaising with customers in the office and on the phone, writing invoices, emails, shredding documents and other administrative duties. “It’s something I would never have thought of,” Janice said.

“My supervisor Laura Rizzetto has been very supportive, I love the environment and I’m learning lots of new things.” The Endeavour Foundation is Janice’s host employer, while she is completing her traineeship and a Certificate III in Business Administration through the Community Solutions Group. “I was inspired to pursue a different career path,” she said. “Pursuing a business traineeship intrigued me because I saw it as an opportunity for professional growth and development.

“Having over six years of experience in the disability and aged care sector, I was very nervous to start a career in a different field,” she said. “After working so many years in a certain role, you learn to operate on auto pilot and most of your professional duties and obligations become second nature.” Janice said her confidence has improved greatly since starting the traineeship. “I used to be nervous around customers, now it’s much easier for me,” she said. “I’m really glad I made the transition from support work to business. “I had no knowledge or experience as an Administration Officer but Community Solutions Group and the Endeavour Foundation created a comfortable environment that allowed me to learn new skills and to apply them to practical scenarios within the business.

“The Endeavour Foundation and the Community Solutions Group really supported me with a smooth transition. “They’ve been very supportive of me, always checking in on me to make sure I’m OK. “I live in Innisfail and they were very understanding of my situation during cyclone season. “The Endeavour Foundation has created a supportive, inclusive environment, and they also employ people with disabilities. “Pursuing the traineeship with Endeavour has motivated me to be more ambitious in my academic and professional career.

My next goal is to study an accounting degree. I am grateful for my time and experience within the disability and aged care sector and I am ready to challenge myself in a new career.”

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