Prashuram Pathak's career at Ventia started in an unconventional way.

After arriving in Australia from Nepal in 2018, Prashuram started his study in a Bachelor of IT at the Australian Institute of Higher Education college in Sydney and was working part-time at a Sydney based cleaning company.

It was after six months in Australia that Parashuram's friend asked if he was able to drive him to a job interview. While initially hesitant, it turned out to be a decision that led to significant growth and opportunity.

'At the time, it was my friend who was applying for a job on Ventia's City of Sydney contract. I had my driver's license, so he asked if I could drop him off for the interview,' Prashuram says. 'While I was there, I saw many people from Nepal and other various countries coming in for interviews.'

Prashuram was approached by the Ventia team and asked if he would be interested in interviewing for a part-time position.  He secured the job, started his first role as a Level 1 cleaner and began his journey with us.

He worked in the initial role for a couple of months before joining one of the contracts specialty project teams.

He spent one year working in the team when the opportunity was presented by his manager to apply for a role assisting one of the contract supervisors.

'It was a really great opportunity for me,' Prashuram says. 'In my area, we have 19 sites, and 23 cleaners. These sites include town and community halls, activity centres and all sorts of sites where people come together to do activities'.

Prashuram says he's learned a great deal while working with his team. It has provided opportunities to upskill his knowledge of operations, leadership and working with people.

Marilyn Baker, Service Delivery Manager for the City of Sydney Contract says his calm and friendly can-do attitude has been an asset to the team and his progression at Ventia. 

"He is always willing to learn new things and assist his peers at every opportunity. In the 4 years he has been with us, he has developed and progressed within our team, seamlessly." 

Through the support of his supervisors and manager Marilyn, Prashuram says he has deepened his knowledge on how to respond to various challenges and working in and managing diverse teams.
 
'All of my supervisors and in particular my manager Marilyn have helped me so much and guided me through different ideas and ways of carrying out tasks.'

Personally, Prashuram says he really enjoys the chance his role offers him to take in the experiences of his culturally diverse team.

I enjoy working with my team and learning about their cultures. We have people of such diverse backgrounds all working together. It's a great way to learn about their ideologies and beliefs.

Prashuram has also continued his passion for knowledge outside of work by continuing his studies while working. This year he will complete his Bachelor of IT, further adding to his professional skill set. 

We look forward to following his journey at Ventia! 
 

Harmony Week 21 - 27 March 2022

Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australia's cultural diversity. It's about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background. 

Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country — from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world. With 49% of Australians born overseas or having at least one parent who was and over 300 ancestries, cultural diversity is who we are, as a country and here at Ventia.