I often get asked why we work in the Indigenous employment field. For me, it’s about making a difference and because I genuinely love the people we work with. They are truly grateful for the experience and the opportunities they gain from being…
One of our First Steps participants from last year made this Facebook post yesterday. She has worked really hard for her success and has focused on her goals. We are immensely proud of her. I remember her graduation speech, where she described how…
Innovative Solutions continue to gain high retention rates. CONGRATULATIONS to the Cairns First Steppers who have just completed their first 6 months in employment with Coles Supermarkets. First Steps is an Indigenous employment program that Innovative Solutions Australia run…
Today we had a GREAT news story from one of our Adelaide participants of a Coles Indigenous Employment program from last year. When we first met Lee, he wasn’t too sure if working in a supermarket was really what he…
Last week I facilitated the 3 day MiPotential Personal Development training program to MIGAS apprentices from NSW and ACT. MiPotential focuses on personal development training, re-energising and refocusing. MiPotential is part of the MIGAS Apprenticeship Development Program and Innovative Solutions are really…
Reflections of last years achievements. Yesterday I asked previous program participants from the First Steps program (Indigenous employment programs Innovative Solutions run in partnership with Coles and other Wesfarmer brands) what their greatest achievement was in 2015. I posted this…
Innovative Solutions have been contracted by MIGAS to work with their Apprentices in NSW and QLD. The 3 day workshops have been designed to re-energise and re-motivate their workforce. We will; – Create personal and career goals – Evaluate personal performance – Explore…
Checkout the brilliant story from the Cairns Post last week! Christine from Innovative Solutions worked on both programs (5 years apart) which placed Vivian and Anastasia. Proud of these beautiful ladies.
Congratulations Coles supermarkets for winning the human rights award 2015. This was due to the dynamic and dedicated team at Coles for the work they do with not only the First Steps program, but all of the other activities they do to…
The Cairns 2015 First Steps team all commenced work yesterday in Coles Supermarkets in Cairns and Mareeba. Last week they made this video about their First Steps journey.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Cairns First Steps Indigenous Employment program participants who graduated today and will start their new careers at Coles on Monday. They’ve all worked really hard for this opportunity and deserve all of their successes. It was a…
Awesome work Carol! Well done to our North Perth First Stepper Carol who got great customer feedback while she is still in the training phase! With even the customers endorsing her, I’m pretty confident she’ll get her job offer…
A lot can can happenin 13 months CONGRATULATIONS to Hervey Bay First Stepper Kenny. He gained his foot in the door to work with Coles 13 months ago as part of an Innovative Solutions First Steps program. He has since…
One of the main advantages our First Steppers have is that they make really great FIRST IMPRESSIONS with their new managers. Most of us meet our potential new managers when we go in for a job interview, which is an…
WELL DONE to the First Steppers from our Mango Hill Queensland program, who have achieved an impressive 89% retention rate in employment over a 6 month period. These guys have survived the craziness of Christmas and Easter and have proven what great team…
On the First Steps program, our participants explore all of the things they want to have, do and be; we set goals and start to imagine a different life. Many of our First Steppers want to get their license and…
A business’ greatest asset is their team members who create loyal customers by going above and beyond. I love working with Coles because they enable and encourage their team members to do this. They also recognise the team members who get…
In our First Steps training, we talk about creating a WOW factor for customers. How can we over deliver in an unexpected way? Loyal customers are created when they get this sort of service, which could be a simple, thoughtful gesture.…
Here’s another great newspaper article from SA about one of the First Steps participants who recently graduated. Donald is a really impressive candidate with an immense amount of potential. Candidates like Donald make us look good and open doors for…
One thing we always talk about in our training is the impact our behaviour has on us and our community. We are either making a positive or negative contribution, and it is an unfair but true reality that Indigenous people’s…
Well done to our Townsville First Stepper Brooke who bought a new car today! What an amazing (and life changing) achievement. Even when you LOVE your job, you have days when you literally have to drag your butt into work. There…
