More support for mature job seekers in Murray South East

Mature age job seekers in the Murray South East region of South Australia will have access to more specialised support when it comes to finding work after Sureway Employment & Training expanded their deliver of the Career Transition Assistance (CTA) program into the area.

The program, which assists people aged 45+ to build confidence and gain the skills needed to remain competitive in today’s labour market, held its first class in Mount Gambier during November.

Nine learners commenced with a high level of engagement and enthusiasm.

Program participants will learn various skills to increase their job readiness for the modern workforce, such as how to articulate transferrable skills and experience in job applications, and be provided with practical assistances to enhance their digital literacy.

The program is also available from our locations across Goulburn Murray VIC, Central West NSW, Murray Riverina NSW, and Mid North SA.

 

Find out if you are eligible for Sureway’s CTA program and view our upcoming course dates at:
https://staging.sureway.com.au/job-seekers/career-transition-assistance/

Wrapping up our 2021-23 RAP

With the support of Reconciliation Australia, Sureway developed and delivered an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) from April 2021 – April 2023. The intention of Sureway’s 2021-23 RAP is to acknowledge and demonstrate our respect for Australia’s First Peoples, by building respectful relationships and creating equal and equitable opportunities

As our business moves into the process of creating our 2023-2025 reconciliation commitments and targets, we thought it timely to share some of our key learnings and successes from the past two years.

We extend our thanks to our RAP Working Group members, our broader staff, and members of the communities for their input, support and guidance along our journey.

In 2021-2023, Sureway committed to enacting its Company Policy ? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy to work towards our goal of 5% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment across the Sureway workforce. We are pleased to report that as at March 2023, 8.29% of Sureway’s total workforce identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. As an organisation, we look forward to continuing this trajectory as we move into the second half of 2023 and beyond.

Other key activities and initiatives

Arrilla Cultural Awareness Project

Sureway has engaged Arrilla to provide cultural awareness training to our staff, providing management and staff with the knowledge, skills and confidence to employ, retain, partner, procure from and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Arrilla delivers a range of services that help individuals, teams and entire organisations to become competent to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, or to better understand the nation’s journey to reconciliation and their part to play.

First Nations Programs Officer

Sureway has appointed a First Nations Programs Officer to engage with Custodian Groups and other significant First Nations groups of influence to build stakeholder relationships and, where appropriate, engage in strategic partnerships. The First Nations Programs Officer will also coordinate and lead the implementation, monitoring and reporting of Sureway’s RAP and Indigenous Participation Plan commitments.

Corporate wardrobe

Sureway has extended our corporate wardrobe to include a RAP shirt featuring artwork ‘Journey along the Waterways’ created by Luke Penrith for Sureway.

“Gaining knowledge is like a river (Bila) always moving forward. The orange (U) symbols are the staff of Sureway supporting each client to gain educational knowledge, build their self-esteem and build capacity and capability in their chosen fields of work. The colourful circles represent a ripple effect of that journey.”

Our staff wear this with pride.

Reconciliation Hub resources for staff

Sureway has developed a Reconciliation Hub on our intranet with resources and information for our staff on cultural education, reconciliation initiatives and access to further ways to participate in their community. By giving these resources a place on our intranet, we acknowledge their importance on our day-to-day operations and are actively engaged in sharing learnings across our business.

Acknowledgement of Country at sites

Sureway have given our reconciliation artwork pride of place in our branding and storefronts. ‘Journey along the waterways’ by Luke Penrith is proudly displayed at the entrance to all Sureway offices with an Acknowledgement of Country. With this initiative, we aim to build respectful relationships within the community and acknowledge the connection to land of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on which we live and work.

Community sponsorship and participation

Sureway are proud to sponsor the Orange United Warriors, who have Rugby League and League Tag teams for the 2023 Woodbridge Cup competition. The Orange United Warriors are coming into their fourth year, underpinned by the community principle of building social capital. The inclusive sporting/community club welcomes people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and personal circumstances offering access to junior and senior sporting opportunities across the sports of Netball, Basketball, Touch Football, Soccer, Hockey and Dance in local, regional and state competitions.

For more information on Sureway’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, visit Reconciliation Action Plan – Sureway Employment Services.

Paralympic champion helping businesses embrace inclusivity

Retired Paralympic sprinter turned elite sporting coach, business owner, father, and motivational speaker Scott Reardon continues to channel his passion for helping others run a fair race after renewing his partnership with Sureway for 2023/24.

Hailing from Temora, Reardon has proudly partnered with Sureway since 2018 to inspire more businesses to actively embrace the employment of individuals with disabilities.

Reardon attributes much of his own success to the support he received during his youth, which allowed him to pursue a world-class career in athletics. His journey has led him to three Paralympic Games, including a spectacular gold medal victory in Rio in 2016.

Reflecting on his past, Reardon shared, “I lost my lower leg in a farming accident when I was 12. Shortly after that, I returned to Temora, and the support network around me helped me get back on my feet and embrace life again.”

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to forge a career in elite sports, which has granted me financial security, exciting challenges, and a daily sense of purpose.”

Reardon is passionate about helping other people with a disability have the same opportunities to pursue a rewarding career — and wants businesses to be aware of the benefits of employing them.

Driven by a deep passion to offer individuals with disabilities the same opportunities he was granted, Reardon aims to educate businesses on the advantages of employing them. He asserts, “Hiring a person with a disability can bring immense value to a business. Research demonstrates that these employees tend to exhibit greater reliability, productivity, and loyalty. So, not only is it the right thing to do, but the business case is also remarkably strong.”

Reardon also highlights that studies indicate hiring a person with a disability doesn’t incur additional costs compared to employing someone without a disability. In fact, the benefits extend to increased workplace morale and an enhanced reputation among customers, potentially leading to greater economic prospects for businesses.

Businesses partnering with Sureway receive customised support and may even qualify for wage subsidies for their employees.

“Sureway ensures that the placement aligns with both the employee and employer’s needs and provides continuous support to help individuals thrive in their jobs,” Reardon emphasises.

“For jobseekers, sometimes all it takes is for someone to give you a chance, to have faith in your abilities, and it can open up a world of confidence and opportunities.”

While Reardon has retired from competitive racing, he remains dedicated to using his influential platform to advocate for positive change and continue his mission of creating a more inclusive and equitable future.

 

Ready to find out how you can recruit great staff? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.

Sureway Employment and Training  announces partnership with Kylie Wainwright and Associates

Sureway Employment and Training (Sureway) is thrilled to announce further expansion in the allied health sector by partnering with Kylie Wainwright and Associates (KWA).

Founded by Dr. Kylie Wainwright over 14 years ago, KWA is a highly respected psychology practice based in North-East Melbourne, providing psychological assessment and counselling to children, adolescents, adults, and couples.

“Kylie Wainwright and Associates is a great fit for Sureway, very much aligned with our growth strategy in the allied health sector” says Sureway CEO Matthew Hall. “The demand for specialist psychology services has grown exponentially in the communities we service, so expanding the Health and Wellbeing arm of the business has been a key priority for Sureway, and supports our purpose of changing lives, building stronger communities”.

Established over 30 years ago in Wagga Wagga delivering employment and training services on behalf of the Australian Government, Sureway has grown to over 100 locations across NSW, Victoria, ACT and South Australia. Managing Director of Anacacia Capital and Sureway Non-Executive Chair Jeremy Samuel said: “It’s great to see Sureway continue on its growth path in a sector that is in such high demand, and we are pleased we could support Sureway to realise this step in their journey”.

Principal Dr Kylie Wainwright, Clinical Psychologist for over 20 years, and her highly experienced team, will continue to provide outstanding service to their clients and will benefit from the business support and potential additional client base provided by Sureway and private equity partner Anacacia Capital.

Dr Wainwright states “I’m excited about our partnership with Sureway, a successful family built business with similar values backed by a leading fund manager. One key aspect that I’m looking forward to about this partnership is being able to devote more time to doing what I love – working directly with our clients and investing time in my team to enhance the care we provide.”

Dr Wainwright and her team of ten psychologists and three administration staff will continue servicing the Eltham and broader Melbourne community from the same location in Brougham Street as well as offering telehealth options to suit clients’ preferences.

For further details, please contact:
Kylie Wainwright [email protected]
Matthew Hall [email protected]
Jeremy Samuel [email protected]

To find out more about Kylie Wainwright and Associates, please visit the website: www.kyliewainwrightpsychology.com.au, or contact 03 8418 0567 to make an appointment

What is Workforce Australia?

Workforce Australia is the Australian Government’s new employment service that will commence on July 1, 2022—comprising all employment services by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, meaning that the Workforce Australia program you’re likely already familiar with will be replaced with Workforce Australia.

The service will allow job seekers to manage their job search through a new online portal. Otherwise, if you’re a job seeker who requires more support to find suitable employment, you will be referred to a Workforce Australia provider for additional assistance who is located closest to you.

What does this mean for Sureway?

From July 1, Sureway Employment & Training will no longer be delivering the Workforce Australia program. Instead, Sureway will be a Workforce Australia provider and support job seekers and eligible unemployed people through the following Workforce Australia Services:

• Employment Services
• Transition to Work
• Career Transition Assistance

As a job seeker, what service will be most suitable for me?

All services will help job seekers find, apply for, start and keep a job. However, the assistance that they each offer is slightly different. The service that will be most suitable for you will depend on your individual goals, needs and preference, considering things like your skillset, work experience, age and location.

Does this affect Disability Employment Services?

Workforce Australia will be a service delivered by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. Disability Employment Services is a service delivered by the Department of Social Services. Because different departments provide these services, Workforce Australia will not impact Disability Employment Services.

I want to know more

For more information about Workforce Australia, please visit
Workforce Australia – Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government (dese.gov.au)

Otherwise, get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected]

Sureway’s staff wearing RAP shirts with pride

The entire Sureway team has been kitted out with new RAP uniforms and the response from staff and community members has been overwhelming.

“The response we hear has demonstrated how empowering the shirts are and has helped instigate conversations amongst us to develop and strengthen our communities’ knowledge, understanding, and relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Sureway staff member).”