TIMOTHY Brown visited Nova Employment in Richmond a year ago when he discovered the organisation had an employment consultant who could be a sign language interpreter.
Mr Brown, who lives in Bligh Park, is deaf and Nova employment consultant Sharon Turnbull found him a job as a farmhand for 15 hours a week.
While Mr Brown was a hard worker he realised farm work was not what he wanted to do long-term.
But Nova supported him on the job and communicated with him regularly by text messages to ensure things were going well.
Mr Brown was also caring for his partner and small children, dividing his time between family, school runs and work.
Then, with the opening of Sinclair Ford's new service centre at South Windsor, came a chance for Mr Brown that Ms Turnbull couldn't pass up.
Ms Turnbull met Andrew Morgan, operations manager at Sinclair Ford, to discuss employment prospects for Mr Brown.
She convinced Mr Morgan to take on Mr Brown as a car detailer.
Ms Turnbull supported Mr Brown and the Sinclair Ford team to ensure they were all communicating well.
A whiteboard was purchased to help communication and a trolley and tools provided to help Mr Brown to be more efficient at his work.
Mr Morgan recently spoke about Mr Brown at Nova Richmond's open day, saying how impressed he was by Mr Brown's work ethic and about the relationship with Nova.
Mr Brown has been with Sinclair Ford since June and is doing very well.
"He really enjoys his work, gets along well with his colleagues and is certainly appreciated," Mr Morgan said.
Mr Morgan says Mr Brown would be a great teacher for others seeking this type of work because he is efficient with a keen eye for detail.
Sinclair Ford service manager Steve Farlow said: "Tim is a pleasure to have here and we are really pleased to be working with Nova.
"Tim is always happy and works in well with the team."
Later this year Mr Brown will get cochlear implants, which it's hoped will enable him to hear for the first time in his life.
