Businesses encouraged to host a job seeker with disability for a day

Disability Employment Service (DES) provider ETC is encouraging local businesses to host a job seeker with disability for one day in the week from Monday 26 to Friday 30 November 2018 as part of AccessAbility Day.

ETC DES Program Manager Billy Unsworth said AccessAbility Day was an Australian Government initiative for prospective employers to see the potential and skills job seekers with disability can bring to the workplace, and learn about Government support available.

“This is a voluntary, obligation-free day and a wonderful opportunity to give a job seeker an insight into a particular job or type of work, with no obligation to employ the participant after the placement,” Mr Unsworth said.

Mr Unsworth said there were many benefits for employers of all sizes, and welcomed involvement from small businesses to ones with a large footprint like Essential Energy, responsible for energy distribution to 95 per cent of NSW.

Essential Energy General Manager Customer and Network Services, Luke Jenner, said the program was an opportunity for participants on both sides to learn more about unlocking potential.

“Leadership is about understanding how people can add value to what you want to achieve, while at the same time feel valued themselves,” said Mr Jenner.

“This initiative is part of our broader approach to diversity. For the AccessAbility program this month, we have partnered with ETC to host three participants in the areas of Finance, Administration and Office Support.”

Small business Pacific Balustrades and Powder Coaters has also partnered with ETC to host two participants as part of AccessAbility Day.

“We often provide field placements and work experience for High School students, so we thought this would be a great opportunity to help even more people in the community,” said Shirley Kenny, Office Administrator, Pacific Balustrades and Powder Coaters.

“The two participants will be provided with some tasks in the office and in our workshop, which should give them a good insight into a day in our workplace.”

Mr Unsworth said businesses can host as many participants across as many job types as they are able to provide within their organisation, however, each participant can only be placed in each workplace for one day.

“You can learn more about working with job seekers with disability, promote and encourage an inclusive workplace, access a talent pool of capable people who are keen to work, and learn more about free disability employment services and support available for employers,” he said.

ETC provides specialist help to people with disability, illness or injury to find and keep a job.

Designer Living Kitchens Showroom Manager Damon White encouraged other employers out there to give people with a disability or injury a chance at employment.

“We were struggling to find someone suitable for our front reception and showroom. ETC approached us with some suggestions including Michelle Graham who has been working here for over four years now,” Mr White said.

“Disability or not, Shelley has proved to be very suitable for the role with her skill-set. Her injuries made no affect to her position here.”