The Chronicle

Jye takes unusual steps

Man resorts to standing on corners

- Meghan Harris meghan.harris@thechronic­le.com.au

JYE McKewin has applied for thousands of jobs without any luck. He has now turned to some unusual methods to get noticed.

Mr McKewin has resorted to standing on street corners with a sign listing his qualificat­ions and skills.

He has also posted a photo of himself with the sign on social media.

The 24-year-old has a young family to support and with another baby on the way he said desperate times called for desperate measures.

“I get a few honks from passing cars and my Facebook post has been shared more than 100 times but I’d like the shares and honks to turn into employment,” he said.

“I do all your usual things to try and get work like apply online, walk-ins, call ups but I hoped doing something a bit different would get me noticed.”

Mr McKewin has a certificat­e II in resource management and certificat­e III in surface extraction operations.

“It all comes down to experience when applying for a job. It’s hard because employers want an 18-year-old with 20 years experience,” he said.

“Because I don’t have any industry-related references, employers don’t really consider me so it’s a bit of a circle that I can’t get out of.”

Mr McKewin has applied for more than 2000 jobs in the past two years. He is also signed up to the city’s apprentice­ship companies and employment agencies.

He is looking for constructi­on or outdoor work but would be happy with any job.

Mr McKewin is signed up to the Work For the Dole program where he hopes to get experience working at the Toowoomba Waste Management Facility.

 ?? PHOTO: KEVIN FARMER ?? SEEKING WORK: Job seeker Jye McKewin has made a sign to show passing motorists in an effort to gain employment.
PHOTO: KEVIN FARMER SEEKING WORK: Job seeker Jye McKewin has made a sign to show passing motorists in an effort to gain employment.
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