For many people, coffee is a great way to kick-start the day. For Lachlan and Adelaide, coffee has become a way to kick-start their careers.
The Mylestones Solutions coffee cart crews are creating employment opportunities for Queenslanders with barriers to work, like disabilities or injuries. Recently some of the coffee carts had a makeover, which has caused a lot of excitement for the local crews.
Lachlan and Adelaide have been baristas in the Maroochydore coffee cart for over four months now, and they spilled the beans on their experience so far.
For 17-year-old Lachlan, the opportunity to work couldn't have come at a better time. He had recently completed qualifications in IT, but the thought of going through the interview process was holding him back.
"This is the first job I've ever had. When Mylestones offered me the opportunity to interview for the coffee cart job, it was really good. I usually avoid situations where I need to talk to people, so I was thinking getting a job would be almost impossible," Lachlan explained.
"Sure, this job has taught me a lot about making coffee, but it's also taught me how to interact with customers and other employees. I still don't really like talking to new people, but it's slowly getting easier with each customer I serve."
Working alongside Lachlan is 29-year-old Adelaide, who after being out of a job for a few years was finding it difficult to get back into the workforce.
"I was really sick for a couple of years and wasn't working during that time. When I finally got better, even though I had experience working in hospitality, I just couldn't get a job," Adelaide said.
"I decided to do a barista course with Mylestones and from there I joined the coffee cart crew. I love it. It's nice to talk to customers as they order their coffee. It's my kind of work!/p>
"This job is about helping you along the way to getting a job; it has been a great stepping stone for me to get back into work."
Baristas in the Mylestones coffee carts stay in the job for six months before making their next career move. Lachlan says the next step for him is finding a job in IT so he can use his qualifications.
"Hopefully some of the skills I've learned here will be helpful, like serving customers and keeping a job for six months."
Adelaide is going to stay on working in the coffee cart for another six months, teaching the next wave of employees how it's done.
"I think it would be good for them to have a mentor, you know? Someone who had already been through it."
This is just the start for Lachlan and Adelaide's journey into the workforce, and we're looking forward to seeing what they do next! Stay tuned…
Did you know Mylestones coffee carts are in multiple locations across Queensland? To find out where your nearest crew is located, or if you want to take the next step with Mylestones Employment, call us on 1800 275 753 or visit www.mylestones.org.au