From working at a supermarket to becoming a weighbridge operator and nurse to machinery operator, ResourceCo welcomes employees from a wide range of industries, utilising their valuable transferable skills to ensure success.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day, ResourceCo recognises three employees who have seamlessly adapted their talents to the resource recovery sector, using skills learned in wide ranging previous roles.
Kim Reid, who formerly worked at a supermarket before joining ResourceCo, now covers the daily administrative operations of the Wingfield weighbridge and administrative areas.
“I’d had enough at my previous job in a supermarket and the role I was in, so I came for an interview with ResourceCo and was offered the job,” she said.
“I have loved this job since I started two and a half years ago.
“Everyone has been so welcoming, it’s like a big, happy family.”
Kim highlighted one particular skill that she has carried over from her time at Woolworths.
“I learnt at the supermarket to be respectfully assertive at times, when you work in customer service there’ s an important balance to maintain, and with truck drivers at a weighbridge that skill has come in handy,” she said.
Mel Kenihan made the shift from nursing to now being a machinery operator at ResourceCo’s Wingfield site.
“I got through my training and into placement and quickly realised nursing wasn’t for me,” she said.
“I had always wanted to get my tickets to operate machinery and thought I may as well go get them and give it a crack.
“I was surprised with myself that I took to it so well and kept going and I was really determined to make it work.
“It is a massive family at ResourceCo; everyone has your back, and it feels like a community.”
Mel also emphasised the importance of being able to be resilient and committed.
“It is important to have the right training and people telling you the right things to say when it comes to policies and procedures,” she said.
“If we’ve got that training and backing of the right people, it gives us the confidence to stand our ground.”
ResourceCo Operation Manager – Recycling, Stephen McKeown, was full of praise for Mel and Kim.
“It is a credit to Mel and Kim with the way they have moved into a new industry and adjusted so well,” he said.
“They both have key roles in our team and there is no doubt their previous professional experiences have played a big part in them being so successful.”
ResourceCo Transport Coordinator, Anh Nguyen, experienced a variety of industries before joining ResourceCo six months ago.
“I started in hospitality and was in that business for a while, managing a few takeaway stores,” she said.
“Then I did pharmacy at university and was a pharmacist for a number of years before I made a change in my career pathway, joining ResourceCo as a weighbridge operator and then the opportunity came up to become transport coordinator.
“At the time the casual position appealed to me because I was still deciding what I wanted to do, so it was a case of right time, right place.
“It wasn’t something I was looking for specifically, but the hours were good and the people were great.”
Anh said her customer service experience has held her in good stead since joining ResourceCo.
“Having the ability to build relationships and a rapport with people is the most important skill that I’ve been able to bring across,” she said.
“I enjoy talking to people and working as a team, that way wins are shared.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but the longer I’ve been here it keeps getting better and better.
“The role, the people, the environment, you are able to leave work at work and everyone supports each other.”
Anh’s advice to anyone considering a career change was simple.
“You won’t know unless you try, just say yes to opportunities that present themselves,” she said.
ResourceCo Operations Supervisor, Santino Merdanovic, highlighted Anh’s work in transitioning into the industry since joining ResourceCo.
“Anh has hit the ground running since joining the team and her success is evident in making the step up to transport coordinator from initially starting part time in the weighbridge,” he said.
“It is exciting to consider what is possible for Anh over the coming years given her development over just six months.”
