As a Future Business Leaders 2016 nominee from the Careerforce sectors, Wendy Biddle says you have to continually strive to reach your full potential. “You have to always explore options and push yourself, because until you do, you will not know where your full potential really sits. And on the way you never know what you might learn or achieve.”
Wendy is a Support Worker with Community Connections – a community based disability support service operating in the greater Wellington region. She holds a level 3 National Certificate in Health Disability and Aged support which she undertook several years ago with the support of Careerforce. Wendy has since gone on to become a mentor for others in the organisation, helping them to gain their level three NZQA recognised qualification.
“This knowledge changes your work, it changes your life – and it changes the lives of the people you support. The biggest difference is I now have more empathy. While I have gained a lot of skill, I have a far greater understanding of how to put together a support plan that is tailored to the person and will really make a positive difference for them.
“I am constantly challenged in my work and am looking at ways to get around the barriers that people put up for themselves. I love to think outside of the square and solve problems that come my way.
“I absolutely love my job because I get to work with such an amazing array of beautiful people, all with such different disabilities and different challenges.
“Being nominated and taking part in the Future Business Leaders forum has been a great honour and it is a way for me to ensure I am still growing and developing which then helps me to help my clients grow and develop.
“You can never let barriers stand in your way.”
The inaugural Future Business Leaders Awards was held in 2016 as part of the Got A Trade campaign. The multi-sector industry training organisation, national campaign aims to raise awareness of the careers that exist in 140 trades and services in New Zealand.