When Shannon first joined the STEPS Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program in Bundaberg, he wasn’t looking for a new career. He simply wanted to support his daughter, who was nervous about starting something new. Sometimes, the best journeys are the ones we never planned.
While accompanying his daughter to her first CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support class, Shannon met Corey Anderson, one of our passionate STEPS Trainers.
Although Shannon had never considered becoming a Support Worker, Corey’s encouragement and the welcoming class environment planted a seed of inspiration.
Shannon decided to apply for the course himself. What started as a gesture of support for his daughter quickly transformed into a powerful journey of personal growth and self-discovery. He soon uncovered a passion for learning, a new sense of direction, and a supportive community that believed in his potential.
At graduation, Shannon delivered an emotional speech on behalf of his classmates. He spoke with raw honesty and gratitude, pausing more than once to compose himself, and he thanked Corey for making complex topics easy to understand and for teaching with genuine care for each participant.
“Corey always said, ‘you can do it.’ Those words stuck with me, especially when I doubted myself during my work placement,” Shannon said. “Having someone believe in you makes all the difference.”
“Shannon’s story is a beautiful reminder that learning is for everyone, at any stage of life,” Corey said. “His courage to step into something new led him to an entirely different career that he loves. That’s part of what makes our work here at STEPS so rewarding.”
Shannon’s authenticity and determination left a lasting impression on everyone at the graduation, and before long, he secured a full-time Support Worker role.
The STEPS SEE Program continues to empower people like Shannon to develop new skills, become more confident, and embrace exciting opportunities – sometimes when they least expect it.
Ready to discover your next step?
If you or someone you know could benefit from building literacy, language, numeracy and digital skills in a supportive environment, the STEPS SEE Program is here to help.
Get in touch with our STEPS team today to learn more about how we can support you or someone you care about on the journey to confidence and new opportunities.
