Launch Of New Disability Service For GippslandOpportunity for gaining and maintaining employment is no longer just a dream... By Brooke van Nooten - 9th October 2002 - Back to News A new employment service to assist people with a disability to gain and maintain employment in the mainstream workforce was officially launched on Friday the 30th of August 2002 at the head office in Sale.
Work Solutions Gippsland Pty Ltd is fully funded by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services and functions to assist job seekers with a disability throughout South, Central and East Gippsland.
Senator Amanda Vanstone Minister for Family and Community Services officially launched the service via video. Amongst other guests the honourable Peter McGauran member for Gippsland delivered a speech as part of the opening.
Work Solutions Gippsland is one of a few private providers in Australia operating in this sector. The business opened after being the successful applicant amongst 22 other competitors for the tender that was announced in February 2002.
Service provision started in April with three office locations in Sale, Leongatha and Bairnsdale with outreach services as far south as Phillip Island and east as Mallacoota. So far, the service has placed over 90 job seekers in employment in a variety of industries including hospitality, retail, health, education and agriculture. Sale McDonalds have employed two staff members since the opening of the service. Manager Phil Wilson says there were mixed attitudes among staff in the beginning. "To be honest we have had a few problems we had to overcome with other staff members, but now the other crew members work well with Chris and Nicole, they try to take them up to the next level and communicate very well with them." says Wilson.
"Its good having them available and it adds a different atmosphere to the workplace." says Wilson.
The Executive Director Mrs Donna Faulkner says, "Employing people with a disability is a good business decision. It contributes to improving the quality of life of a person and at the same time it’s making a positive contribution to the community in which we live."
The launch is the just the beginning for Work Solutions Gippsland who plan to place a total of 120 people with a disability into the workforce before the end of the year.
"The benefits for the employers and staff would have to be seeing these people achieve and watching them become involved in the community." says Wilson.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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