Employment Plus – Jeff’s journey from barriers to the factory floor
BY LERISSE SMITH
When Jeff walked through the doors of The Salvation Army Employment Plus in May 2025, he was carrying a heavy load.
That load included depression, concentration difficulties, a suspended licence, a history of drug dependency, pending legal action, and the knowledge that face tattoos would close doors before he even opened his mouth.
What he also carried, though, was experience. He'd worked in a chicken factory before and had enjoyed it.
From the very first appointments, his Employment Consultant sat down with Jeff to understand his past and goals. Together, they identified the barriers he faced and built a plan with one clear target: getting Jeff back into poultry work. His resume was updated to reflect his skills and experience, and his consultant worked with him to build the confidence to apply and prepare for interviews.
That work paid off. Jeff found the courage to apply for roles himself and secured an interview at the Steggles factory in Beresfield. He was successful. Four days after the interview, he started work.
To ensure nothing stood in the way of that first day, his Employment Consultant arranged funding for work boots and suitable clothing, so Jeff could walk straight onto the floor without delay.
The results speak for themselves. Jeff loves the role. In his own words, the work helps him stay positive, focus on his family, and bring structure back into his life.
On 1 June 2026, Jeff was offered employment at Multiquip Poultry as a Live Bird Catcher. Funding was again provided for his uniform, enabling him to start without hesitation.
Richard says in just over 12 months, Jeff went from facing multiple compounding barriers to holding down employment in a role he finds meaningful, a direct result of a plan built around his strengths, not his setbacks.
