Yeppoon’s Charissa List wins NESA Employment Consultant of the Year

CoAct and Community Solutions are delighted to announce that Charissa List, an Employment Specialist based in Yeppoon, Queensland, has been named Employment Consultant of the Year at the 2024 National Employment Services Association (NESA) Awards for Excellence, held last night at the Sofitel Brisbane.

Charissa was recognised for her outstanding achievements in helping disadvantaged Australians secure meaningful employment, particularly in regional areas where job opportunities are limited.

“I’m honoured to receive this award,” Charissa said.

If it wasn’t for my customers that allow me to support them through their challenges, I wouldn’t be here accepting this award.

Charissa said knowing what she can do to help other people is what drives her in her work.

It’s allowing people to challenge themselves. I challenge myself every day. No appointment is the same and no participant is the same. It is rewarding at the end of the day to know that you’ve done something good.

She said being active in her local community was another driver for her work, explaining, “Community development is my background, it’s my passion.”

Transforming lives in the Yeppoon community

Charissa is the sole Workforce Australia Employment Specialist at CoAct + Community Solutions Yeppoon. Balancing multiple roles, she provides tailored, person-centred support to job seekers and local businesses, helping build strong and sustainable employment outcomes.

“Yeppoon is a unique community with its own challenges and opportunities,” she said.

In the past year, Charissa has driven the Yeppoon site’s performance, with her rates for placing customers into suitable work and supporting them to thrive in their roles far exceeding the region’s averages.

Her successful approach is backed up with an outstanding customer feedback score, and praise from her customers such as, “Got a job the day after my appointment,” “Very helpful and reassuring,” and “Absolute ray of sunshine.”

Another customer highlighted Charissa’s “contagious enthusiasm” and her care in recognising and celebrating the significance of often-overlooked milestones and hard work that goes into achieving them.

Charissa’s work also sees her building long-term relationships with local employers. She frequently works with small businesses that may not have prior experience hiring through employment services. Charissa ensures that employers feel confident and equipped in hiring and retaining staff, providing them with ongoing support and tailored advice on training, role customisation and funding available.

Community Solutions’ pride in Charissa’s success

Nikki Cross, General Manager Employment Services at Community Solutions, said Charissa’s impact on the Yeppoon community was significant.

We couldn’t be prouder of Charissa and her achievements. Her tireless efforts to address barriers to employment, assist local businesses, and provide holistic support to job seekers are a credit to her dedication and expertise. Charissa’s work has left a lasting impact on the Yeppoon community, and her commitment, skill, and results truly exemplify the very best of employment services.

Celebrating CoAct’s network of excellence

CoAct CEO Simon Brown praised Charissa’s achievement, saying,

Charissa’s recognition as Employment Consultant of the Year is well deserved. Her ability to deliver exceptional outcomes in a regional setting, where challenges are significant, is truly remarkable. Her work demonstrates how a personalised approach can transform lives and strengthen communities.

In addition to her NESA award, Charissa’s dedication has been recognised through winning the 2024 CoAct Employment Consultant of the Year award and the 2023 CoAct Performance Award.

Mr Brown noted how Charissa’s achievements exemplify the talent and dedication seen across the entire CoAct network.

CoAct continues to make our mark as a leading not-for-profit employment services provider. That all three of the 2024 NESA Employment Consultant of the Year finalists were from the CoAct network is a testament to this.

CoAct’s network model is unique, but it is also our strength. Through our shared values with our partners, the CoAct network amplifies our impact in local communities all across Australia.

About CoAct and Community Solutions

CoAct is Australia’s leading network of not-for-profit community service providers, helping people reach their full potential through sustained, meaningful employment. 

Community Solutions, a proud CoAct partner since 2008, delivers Workforce Australia and Disability Employment Services (Now Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) across Queensland, including Yeppoon.

For more information, visit www.coact.org.au or contact [email protected].

Press Release: Yeppoon’s Charissa List wins NESA Employment Consultant of the Year