Kael Landman, 27, has been busy building the skills he needs to reach his work goals, thanks to NDIS funding and a collective approach. 

With the support of the NDIS and the Employment Pathways team from genU, Kael is thriving in his second job with a retailer in Eltham, Melbourne. 

Kael has made a big impact in a short space of time since he started work at the popular store in March 2025. This followed a few months of work experience to give him a taste of the place. 

With Employment Pathways and the retailer’s staff jointly supporting Kael in store, he easily transitioned to employment. And three months in, Kael is excelling. 

He describes his workplace as a “supportive and welcoming workplace”. 

He has two favourite tasks – unpacking plants that get delivered to the store and making displays with plants and vegetables.

Through all the support he received, Kael is grateful for the opportunity to do work experience at the store and then gain paid work.

Kael’s NDIS funds were vital in getting him the additional supports he needed – self-confidence, employability skills, resilience – to reach his work goals. 

Kael’s road to success started in 2019 when he began working with a Disability Employment Services (DES) program at Greensborough.

Once Kael had the confidence and skills, he identified his strengths and interests. One was a passion to work with animals, and this led to a job at the Cottage Kennels and Cattery in Plenty, Victoria. 

Employment Pathways staff played a shared role to support his latest goals. 

This included working alongside Kael’s Employment Practitioner and Employment Mentor who helped create structured workplace plans, delivering on-the-job support and assisting with workplace inductions, and helping him create regular routines. 

Kael is also being supported in his latest goal to get a forklift licence. 

Kael’s fulfilling employment journey has undoubtedly been aided by the NDIS. He is enjoying his dual roles, working with animals and building an exciting new career.