Alf Harper Maintenance
Alf Harper is a perfect example of how a life can turn around with the assistance of NEIS. Alf had been on Centrelink benefits for almost 12 months, and had been enrolled in a ten month rehab course for alcohol abuse through the Salvation Army. Towards the end of the course he felt he needed to start something new in his life – he had been in business previously and felt he could use his skills to start a home maintenance business. Alf was accepted into NEIS through Mission Australia.
“The Certificate IV in Small Business Management course helped me realize potential in myself and gave me the confidence to achieve short term goals,” said Alf. “Before I started the class I had no computer skills but was able to learn the basics to finalise my business plan.”
“The training gave me a solid base to start,” he added. “The monthly reporting requirements made me start out with a system I still use today. The simplicity of these reports and the need to have them in to Mission Australia has turned into a habit and helps me to look after my accounts clearly.”
Alf also found the mentoring to have been a great help in assisting him to stay in focus and move in the right direction. “My mentor was always there when needed,” he said.
Completing the NEIS program has given Alf the confidence to go out and seek further training to better his skills, including the Certificate IV in Training and Assessing. With this qualification he is now teaching at NSW TAFE for the Carpentry and Joinery pre-trade courses whilst also operating his business.
Alf is a long way from where he was prior to commencing NEIS. “The NEIS program has helped me to build something for the future…for the way of way that only working for yourself can give,” he said.