I just knew I wanted to be an auto mechanic

Jessie's Story

For Jesse, relocating from the Gold Coast to Maryborough and transitioning from regular high school to homeschooling was no small change. At 16, nearly 17, he found himself missing the social aspects of school.

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“I definitely missed hanging out with friends,” Jesse said. “Sometimes I thought about what life was like back on the Coast and all the things I could have been doing there.”

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As he began to consider his future and his career, Jesse initially thought that working with computers, maybe in IT, would be the path for him. However, the more time he spent at his desk doing schoolwork, the more he realised that maybe a desk job wasn’t his calling.

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“I found out I really didn’t enjoy sitting at a desk all day,” he admitted.

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That’s when he reconnected with something he’d always loved— working on his motorbike.

“I remembered how much I loved tinkering with my bike,” he explained. “That’s when I thought, maybe I can work with cars and bikes?”

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Jesse’s path took a new direction when he and his mother attended a Parent and Careers Apprenticeship evening, organised the Fraser Coast Careers Pathways Program (FCCPP), designed to help guide and support young people towards apprenticeships or traineeships. That’s where he first met Kirsty, our project coordinator. Their paths crossed again at the Jobs Fraser Coast Industry and Careers Expo, and from there, things really started to fall into place.

“Kirsty was really interested in helping me.  We exchanged emails and she said she’d help connect with employers and get my name out there.” Said Jesse

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Kirsty arranged two work experience placements for Jesse—both in the automotive industry. These opportunities gave him hands-on experience and clarity about his career direction.

“After the work experience Kirsty organised, I just knew I wanted to be a auto mechanic,”.

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With his career goals now clear, Kirsty used her local contacts and industry knowledge to arrange a meeting between Jesse and Dan from Clancy’s Mechanical in Maryborough. The face-to-face meeting went well, and soon after, Jesse secured an apprenticeship as a first-year mechanic.

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“I was so excited to start. It made me really happy knowing that I had a job,” Jesse shared. “Kirsty was amazing in helping me.”

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Jesse’s mother, Maya, agreed that Kirsty’s support was invaluable.

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“There was so much paperwork and so many different organisations—it was overwhelming,” Maya explained. “The world needs more people like Kirsty. She helped us navigate it all.”

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Kirsty’s role in Jesse’s apprenticeship journey wasn’t just about opening doors; she provided the guidance and encouragement that made a world of difference to Jesse and his mum.  Kirsty was the vital connection Jesse and his family needed, turning uncertainty into opportunity at every turn.

Great work Jesse and we look forward to hearing updates from you as you make your way towards becoming a fully qualified mechanic!

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The Fraser Coast Career Pathways Program is contract managed by Regional Development Australia Wide Bay Burnett and is part of the Queensland Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.

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