Licence Renewed, Opportunity Secured: Wayne’s Story with TRACQS

Licence Renewed, Opportunity Secured: Wayne’s Story with TRACQS

At TRACQS, we’re focused on supporting people across Kuranda and the Far North to build skills, strengthen their confidence, and stay connected to local employment opportunities. Wayne’s story shows exactly how the right support can keep people contributing and moving forward.

When Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES) participant Wayne walked into the TRACQS Kuranda office in October, he had one goal. He wanted to keep working. At 66, he’d recently secured a seasonal role with Favco Farms in Mutchilba, one of the region’s major employers during the mango season. Although he could no longer take on the physically demanding picking and packing, he was excited to step into a forklift driver role in the packing sheds. It was meaningful work that matched his experience and allowed him to stay active in the workforce.

But as he prepared for the job, Wayne discovered a major setback. His forklift licence was due to expire right before he was scheduled to start. Without a current licence, his new job was at risk, and the clock was ticking. Wayne also knew he wasn’t confident navigating the online renewal system. With the start date getting closer, he didn’t want to risk losing the opportunity he’d worked hard to secure.

That’s when he turned to TRACQS.

The team at the Kuranda office stepped in immediately. They assisted Wayne with the entire renewal process, made sure every detail was completed correctly, and covered the cost of the renewal to remove any financial pressure. Their practical help meant that Wayne had everything in place well before his start date.

Last week, Wayne proudly began full time work at Favco Farm, ready for a successful mango season. He’s already planning to use his renewed licence with other farms in the region once the season finishes, creating more opportunities to stay in the workforce and share his experience.

“I’m thankful for the support I received, because renewing my licence has allowed me to gain employment,” Wayne said.

Stories like Wayne’s capture the heart of what we do at TRACQS. When people have the right support at the right time, they can continue contributing to their communities, maintain valuable skills, and stay connected to meaningful work. We’re committed to walking alongside people in Kuranda and across the region and helping them move toward stronger futures, one opportunity at a time.