Brickie revels in new career path

GREG Frost quit his job as a brickie just as the global financial crisis was starting to hit the Australian job market where it hurt.

The Ringwood dad, 54, said it was a tough call, but years of hard labour had worn down his body and the early starts and two-hour commutes were no

longer worth it.

Mr Frost said the 12 weeks he was unemployed from November last year to February were "extremely stressful".

He tried everything from rigging to forklift driving before advice from Job Services Australia provider Sarina Russo led him to completely change direction and become a disability carer.

Mr Frost volunteered with Wheelchair Sports Australia in the 1980s and '90s, an experience which he loved, but never considered as a career path.

Now he is studying while working with clients in their homes and adores his new job.

His days vary from helping clients get out of bed, shower and dress, to taking a group fishing in Mornington.

He said disability care paid poorly, but the interaction with clients was its own reward, and there was "massive" demand for trained staff.

Mr Frost's advice to other job hunters was to think outside the square. "Unless you try it you never know whether you can do it," he said.