As we all learn to navigate our modern world at great speed, we all need to engage in conversations around mental health and the barriers associated with maintaining it. Research has shown a positive correlation between having a meaningful job and good mental well-being. And having a job is not just a pay cheque, it also provides purpose, belonging, routine - all vitally important factors when dealing with mental health.
At SkilTrak, we understand that students, graduates, and job seekers navigating their way through life and into the workforce often face their own unique problems when transitioning from learning to earning. Therefore, our focus is not only on connecting talent with the right job placement agencies in Australia, but we also promote mental health awareness throughout the industry placement programs and work placements we facilitate.
The Importance of Mental Health in Placements
A new career or even finding the right opportunity can induce apprehension. Many individuals feel stress, anxiety, or uncertainty in the process of searching for work. Job searching provides a range of emotional impacts, and whether it’s for job placement services in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, or Brisbane, it has a significant emotional cost.
- Interviews are stressful.
- New workplace cultures can be challenging.
- Financial obligations do not necessarily align with personal growth obligations.
- Job applications can lead to rejection.
All of the above are valid sources of stress, and when there is a lack of support, they can influence mental health in unhealthy ways. That’s why we at SkilTrak want to help beat these barriers by providing work experience placements and potential industry placement programs, not just a platform for skill development, but for wellbeing.
The Function of Placement Agencies and Mental Health
Many people will begin their career journey by searching for job placement agencies near me, and this is their first step away from the old way of doing things; most job placement agencies generally introduce candidates seeking opportunities, but not all job placement agencies follow the whole person approach. SkilTrak is also not just concerned with matching jobs.
In our work with placements, we prioritise:
- Well-being check-ins during placements
- A mentorship model that reduces anxiety for students entering the workforce for the first time
- Support for those who need additional guidance, such as students with disabilities, who may approach job placement agencies for the disabled
- Individualised placement matching so the work is consistent with not only career goals but mental health needs.
When placements are approached thoughtfully, they can be exceptional tools for growing self-confidence, resilience, and a feeling of accomplishment.
How We Define 'Placement' And Associated Outcomes
Placement can have several meanings depending on context. For some, it may relate to placement in advanced placement classes in school, or advanced placement biology, both of which are academic challenges for students. For others, it could mean things like medical procedures which relate to placement, such as placing an Implanon, or perhaps personal celebrations, such as placement cards shared as a wedding gift!
At SkilTrak, placement means opportunities, growth, and purpose. The word placements represent:
- Placements (Australia) through trusted partner agencies
- Work placements for students completing their qualifications
- Work experience placements to support confidence before entering the workforce.
- Industry placement programs to connect students with businesses and real working environments.
Each of these opportunities, when appropriately supported, can alleviate stress and enhance mental health through its enhancement of
Supporting Students and Young People
For many young people, entering their career begins with typing “job placement agencies near me” into a search engine. For some of the young people that we support, dealing with anxiety and/or depression, or other mental health issues, this is a daunting task.
SkilTrak is more than just a placement partner; working with SkilTrak on the structured path from studying to employment that young people achieve will mean they are not navigating the process of transitioning into employment alone.
Our offering includes:
1. Access to job placement agencies in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane that we know and trust.
2. Access to track their progress and see how far they have come.
3. Access to connections with mentors who understand the pressure of entering the workforce.
4. Access to career tools to enhance employability and self-awareness.
Work Placement and Mental Well-being Benefits
There are many mental health benefits to participating in a work placement/work experience, from:
1. Purpose and routine - Having a structured daily task helps reduce uncertainty.
2. Developing confidence in your skill set - Self-esteem is built on your experience applying classroom knowledge in the real world.
3. Social belonging - Being part of a team promotes inclusion and reduces loneliness.
4. Clarity of career direction - Work placement offers clarity on the career path, which reduces stress about the future.
Young people become more resilient in mental well-being through supported placement experiences.
Another area to consider is accessibility. Individuals with disabilities often have more difficulty accessing employment than someone without a disability. Job placement services for individuals with disabilities are important in saying everyone has the right to work and have access to meaningful opportunities.
SkilTrak works together with inclusive organisations to make my placement story one of empowerment, no matter where you come from or what abilities you have. We know people's mental well-being improves when they feel valued, skilled, and supported while they are going through or during their placements in the workplace.
In Summary,
Mental health and employment are intertwined. While financial independence is a motivating reason for seeking employment, the emotional rewards from meaningful placements can be just as fulfilling. SkilTrak understands that students and job seekers must be seen as more than just a number on a resume; they are people with reasons to hope, challenges, and mental health issues. Through partnerships with job placement agencies throughout Australia, collaborative industry placement programs, and supporting students through industry placements in addition to formal work placements, SkilTrak is creating a future where mental health is valued just as highly as employability.
