Moving into a new role has enabled Jessica Smyth to mentor and give opportunities to young trainees in our Social Infrastructure business. 

Jess recently moved from our City of Sydney FM contract into the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) contract team, where she is currently the Program Manager for the Servicing Works program.

Ventia manages 60,000 properties on behalf of LAHC in NSW, providing repairs and maintenance services for around 130,000 tenants via a large, culturally diverse workforce across NSW.

Service excellence championed by talented employees

Jess recently had the opportunity to recruit for vacant roles in her team and was focused on bringing in people who would help deliver service excellence for the client. 

One role she was excited to recruit was an Indigenous trainee administrator, as increasing opportunities for Indigenous employees is a commitment under Ventia's Reconciliation Action Plan and also something Jess is passionate about. 

The successful applicant has a hospitality background and was excited to get the opportunity to take on an office job.

"I was impressed with her attitude and her willingness to learn," Jess says.

I am really looking forward to helping her develop skills that could set her on a great career path.

Jess says helping guide young women is something she's passionate about and keen to do more of. In line with that, she recently took on the role of mentor to one of Ventia's young graduates. 

"I hadn't considered being a mentor before, so I'm quite excited about it."

Broad opportunities 

Jess also got the chance to influence a broader employee group when she spoke on the Social Infrastructure team's NAIDOC Week Yarning Circle, which was held on online this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The use of a yarning circle is an important process within Aboriginal culture and Torres Strait Islander culture, and is a harmonious, creative and collaborative way of communicating.

Jess says she was really pleased to be asked to do the Acknowledgement of Country and speak at the event. 

"This year's theme of heal country really resonated with me," Jess says.

Telling a bit of my story is a way I can hopefully inspire younger employees starting out in their careers.

Moving to the LAHC contract also gave Jess an appreciation for the wider opportunities Ventia offers. 

"It's been great to experience just how big a company Ventia is and who you can reach out to and connect with," she says. "I can see there's a lot more opportunity for me at Ventia than I previously imagined."