Rob Beattie
atWork Australia, Cannington
“I am constantly planting seeds looking for new opportunities. Tomorrow I am attending a METRONET function. This is a government program to deliver a light rail system in Perth. We have a number of indigenous jobseekers with Cert II and III in civil construction and I need to find employment options for them.”
Vocational Training Employment Centre (VTEC) Coordinator
Rob, where do you work and what’s your current position?
I operate from atWork Australia office in Cannington, and my role is Vocational Training Employment Centre (VTEC) Coord.
Tell us a little about your background?
I did 25yrs in the Royal Australian Air Force, then started in job services in 2001 with Employment Plus. I remained there for just over 10yrs and managed many sites during this time. My next role was 2yrs with Outcare Inc. as the Team Leader Indigenous Employment working with (mostly) male prisoners six months before their release date. I then joined atWork and have been involved in indigenous recruitment for the past four and a half years. I have been with VTEC since its inception in May 2014.
How long have you been in the employment services sector Rob?
Six of my air force years was in Defence Force Recruitment, then 17yrs in employment services.
How did you come to be an employment consultant?
This started in 1990 in the Air Force. I was the Tri-Service Coord for three yrs in WA and a further three years again in 1997 in Tasmania.
You’ve done a lot of work with pre-release prisoners. That sounds like a challenging role?
Challenging only when it comes to developing vocational skills whilst still incarcerated, as the prisons were cautious when it came down to it. For example, we developed civil construction skills, which meant they were using shovels and jack hammers. Then we did Traffic Control for eligible prisoners – but the training was outside the prison gates. Also had a dual control car for driving lessons. But very rewarding when they moved into work on release.
Rob, what’s the best thing about your job?
Being there when the jobseekers need me most.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I do Orienteering (foot and mountain bike), kayak in the lake near where I live. I have 8 grandkids and thoroughly enjoy getting down and dirty with them. My daughters think I should act my age!! Never.
You’ve developed some very close relationships with the aboriginal community. How did that come about and how does it help you in your work with indigenous job seekers?
Yesterday I was having coffee with the aboriginal managers for Crown Perth and both said to me my name is synonymous and respected within the aboriginal communities and networks. This made me feel very special. It comes down to ‘being there’ and ‘doing what I say I am going to do’.
You sound like you’ve developed some important networks. How important is networking in our sector Rob?
Essential. I am constantly planting seeds looking for new opportunities. Tomorrow I am attending a METRONET function. This is a government program to deliver a light rail system in Perth. We have a number of indigenous jobseekers with Cert II and III in civil construction and I need to find employment options for them.
Read any good books lately?
I read the paper, and enjoy science journals.
Tell us about your relationship with the Derbal Yerrigan Health Service?
This is very important as we not only have our jobseekers complete a fitness assessment there, it also connects those indigenous people who are not aware of their services, or have not been to a GP in a while.
How important is ‘rapport’, and what are some of the things you do to build rapport?
I believe I have never been good at management, but I am very good at team building. Rapport is essential in the workplace as we spend a lot of time together, so it’s important to have fun.
From speaking with you Rob it sounds like you look at just more than a job seeker’s employment needs. You seem to look at their life as a whole. Is that a fair assessment?
We have to do this, as there is a lot of outside influences to take into consideration. From a cultural perspective, this is paramount. A holistic approach.
In your opinion, what skills and qualities do some of the best employment consultants have?
Very important to have listening skills.
What do you think employers look for in a job seeker?
I use an acronym PADMAN – Presentation, Ability, Dependability, Motivation, Attitude and Networking. I explain each one in turn, but point out – Ability is a hard skill and one you really can’t hide. You either have the Ability or you don’t. Don’t lie about this on a resume, as you will get caught out. Attitude is very important. You could be the best whatever, but have the worst attitude – then employers don’t want you upsetting their team.
If you could give three pieces of advice to a new employment consultant, what would they be?
- Keep it simple
- Attention to detail (check phone numbers, emails, addresses, especially on resumes)
- Do something extra for your jobseekers every day.
