How Southern Downs woman built confidence to join workforce after nine year break

Twelve months ago a Warwick woman’s crippling social anxiety was all consuming. See her journey to building her self-confidence and a rewarding career here.

Gateway to Training graduate Lisa is now putting the skills she learnt while completing a certificate III in business to good use after landing an exciting position within the Qld Government.

A Southern Downs mother’s giant leap of faith has changed her life in more ways than one and has set her up for a rewarding career.

When Lisa first moved to Warwick she knew not a soul, which left her with a great deal of social anxiety.

In a happy coincidence at the beginning of 2023, Lisa stumbled across the Gateway to Training office in Warwick while attending a nearby meeting.

Lisa said at first she felt quite anxious about the prospect of returning to work, unsure of what industry to enter into.

After meeting with the Warwick team and discussing her options, Lisa began her return to work journey enrolling in a Certificate III in Business.

“At the time I had really crippling social anxiety, and was having trouble doing the course online,” she said.

“I ended up reaching out to the team for help and they were really lovely with making me feel comfortable by setting me up in a separate room until I was ready to join the group classroom.”

Lisa said this push helped her to build her confidence in social settings immensely and has continued to have a positive impact on her daily life.

Gateway to Training graduate Lisa is now putting the skills she learnt while completing a certificate III in business to good use after landing an exciting position within the Queensland government.

“It actually makes me a little emotional to talk about it,” she said.

“I was always given plenty of praise and encouragement and it definitely helped me build up my confidence.

“I was still nervous to leave the house a year ago, but now I’ve built amazing friendships with other participants and feel confident to leave the house.”

Lisa graduated the course at the end of 2023 and is now in a successful position in business within the Queensland government.

For anyone considering taking the same leap of faith, Lisa’s advice is to remain determined to achieve your goal.

“Be open that change can happen so quickly if you’ve got that goal in mind and if you’re determined to achieve a goal you will,” she said.

Lisa is among dozens of Southern Downs success stories, with fellow Gateway to Training graduate Kristyann also making a major career change with the help of the Warwick team.

Kristyann completed a Certificate III in Community Services in 2023 and has now begun a rewarding career as a personal carer at a local aged care facility.

To see what Gateway to Training has to offer see their website here.