Josh’s journey to STEPS Pathways College wasn’t exactly linear, but it was colourful. Originally from the UK, Josh has worn many hats: restaurant manager, plumber, winemaker, musician.
While working at a restaurant, a friend’s recommendation led Josh to apply for a role at STEPS Pathways College.
Now, nearly four years later, Josh is a Hospitality Trainer helping students learn to cook, clean, and navigate everyday tasks with confidence.
Teaching skills and building confidence
Josh’s role is hands-on and heartfelt. He supports students in the kitchen and out in the community, guiding them through tasks that many people take for granted.
“One of our students didn’t know how to mop a floor,” he said. “It took a few sessions across six weeks, but now he knows! That’s an employable skill. People don’t realise how many steps go into something like that; balancing your foot, using the mop bucket lever, actually mopping the floor. It can be overwhelming.”
Josh never underestimates the learning process for his students. Whether it’s cooking a new meal or mastering a cleaning task, he celebrates every breakthrough. “Week by week, we help our students discover new foods. By the time they graduate, they’ve gone from microwave meals to preparing full dishes.”
Learning to slow down
Josh’s advice to anyone entering the disability support space is simple: slow down.
“In my earlier jobs, everything was about speed and efficiency. When I started working in palliative care, I was moving so fast that a patient told me I was making him nervous and needed to slow down. That really stuck with me.”
Now, Josh takes a more mindful approach. “You do a better job by being observant and moving at a pace that suits the students.”
This shift in mindset has helped Josh thrive in his role and help our students make massive breakthroughs on their journey to independence.
Moments that matter
Some of Josh’s favourite memories at STEPS include beach days at Coolum, where students laughed and boogie boarded in the sun, and the recent Ready STEPS Cook challenge, where students showcased their culinary skills alongside three celebrity chefs.
“These moments remind me of why I do this,” he said. “Because of STEPS, I’ve found something I’m actually good at. I was an alright plumber, alright in hospitality, but here I feel like I’m doing something meaningful. Everyone here really cares about what we do.”
About STEPS Spotlight
STEPS Spotlight is our way of celebrating the incredible people who make up the STEPS team.
Each month, we share the story of a staff member whose passion, dedication and unique journey help shape the heart of our organisation.
Stay tuned for more stories across the STEPS community, or in the meantime, revisit our previous profiles!
