Recently, our Southern Adelaide Disability Employment Services team held a ‘Snag a Job’ Day.

Nine local employers attended the Daw Park, South Australia site and met with 19 participants.

Employers provided insight into their businesses and discussed the criteria they use when hiring new candidates. Participants were then given the opportunity to attend group and one-on-one interviews with the employers.

One participant was invited to a second interview with a local winery and made a great impression. He gained employment at the winery where he continues to thrive.

The ‘Snag a Job’ Day provided participants with valuable knowledge on how to address specific criteria when seeking employment and gave them insight into how different businesses work.

A fantastic day was had by all who attended, and we were able to further our relationships with local employers.

Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.

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.

Narayan from Horsham Vic kicking goals with AFL

Horsham Disability Employment Services (DES) client Narayan, who featured in our Oct-Dec 2022 edition of Sureway Stories, recently celebrated over 9 months of employment with Australian Football League (AFL) VIC as a Support Program Officer.

Narayan is an avid AFL supporter who knows his AFL stats dating right back to the game’s early days.

A rare opportunity to turn passion into work, Narayan’s role involves supporting children’s AFL skills clinics that focus on helping disadvantaged young people be part of the football program.

Giving an update on his employment journey so far, Narayan said, ‘I was excited (to get this job) because I wanted to work with the AFL. I enjoy helping the kids and seeing them smile and enjoying footy.’

Asked how his life has changed since gaining employment, he said, ‘Being employed has helped with my confidence. I’ve been able to meet new people and I work with a bunch of good people.’

Narayan’s future goals include getting his driver’s licence so that he can travel further for his employment at other football clinic locations.

Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.

Kerry’s journey from homelessness to hope

This time last year, Vincentia NSW Disability Employment Services (DES) client Kerrie Anne was homeless.

She had overstayed a notice to vacate and was in the process of tribunal proceedings to find a solution so her and her son would not become homeless. Unfortunately, she was not successful and had to vacate the premises. She had been couch surfing for several months and her son had been staying with his sister and her partner. Kerrie Anne was very depressed, with some days not being able to bring herself to get out of bed.

To make matters worse, Kerrie Anne’s storage unit was flooded, and she lost all of her belongings during the floods. This caused Kerri Anne to spiral and resulted in her not attending appointments and becoming non-compliant.

It was decided that the best course of action was for Kerrie Anne to attain a medical certificate so she could focus upon her mental health.

The last straw for Kerrie Anne was when her son relocated to Melbourne to live with his father. Kerrie Anne decided to build herself back up for her son’s sake.

She moved in with her daughter and started to attend counselling sessions.

After the completion of her medical certificate, Kerrie Anne’s DES Employment Consultant sprang into action. With determination, support and trust, Kerrie Anne and her DES Employment Consultant were going to face this together.

Kerrie Anne and her DES Consultant approached a local cleaning company who were willing to give her a try.

This job has been the best thing for Kerrie Anne, who has now been offered permanent part- time work. She is applying for housing and is hoping to be able to bring her son back home as soon as he completes his schooling at the end of this year.

Kerrie Anne has told Sureway that she could not have done it without their support and is so grateful to us for helping her along her tough journey. Kerrie Anne is now able to smile again and has a spring in her step. She looks forward to going to work each day and now plans to focus on finding a home.

Kerrie Anne says that 2023 is her year. “I have never seen her so happy, and she says that she now has something to get up for each day. She looks forward to going to work. She says that all she needs now is to find herself her own little home”, explains Kerrie Anne’s DES Employment Consultant.

Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.

Echuca mother and daughter duo are moving up in hospitality career

Mother and daughter, Annette and Maddison started with Sureway Echuca Victoria unsure of their career paths and struggling to find work.

Annette and Maddison’s Disability Employment Consultant sprang into action and began to work with the pair to improve their employability skills.

After a while of confidence building and working with the duo to improve their confidence, the job interview process began.

It was decided that the two wanted to work together as a package deal and after a short time of being put forward to jobs together, the good news began.

Sureway got a call from a local hotel stating they would like to interview Annette. A few hours later, Annette beaming with excitement, called to say that she got the job!

Soon after, Maddison received news that she had also secured a job with the same employer.

The mother and daughter duo are now moving up in their jobs.

Maddison is being trained as a Supervisor, while Annette is achieving so much in the short time she’s been employed.

We are very proud of this dynamic duo, and we look forward to watching them progress in their careers.

Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.

Barry from Port Augusta motivated to enter forklift driver job

Barry commenced with Sureway Port August SA in August 2022. He hadn’t worked in three years due to COVID layoffs and was wary of employers due to the way he was treated by his previous employer.
Armed with his driver’s licence, MR and forklift licence, Barry was keen to re-enter the workforce.

Soon after meeting Barry, his Disability Employment (DES) Consultant recognised his motivation and jumped into action.

She helped Barry set up an email account and signed him up to SEEK.com. Barry was new to these resources but was willing to give them a go to better his chances at finding a job.

Within two weeks of commencing with Sureway, Barry had attended two interviews and on day 16 of his Sureway journey, Barry received an offer of employment as a Forklift Operator.

Barry has now been working happily for six months and has been moved into Ongoing Support Assistance.

Barry receives weekly support to give him assistance with payroll computer tasks, providing strategies for handling challenging situations, helping with work related enquiries and boosting his confidence to maintain his employment.

Barry continues to strive and has stated that work is giving him a purpose. He is happy he can now reduce his reliance on income support and can contribute to his super again.

Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.

Study leads to career in health and care services for Aggie from Christies Beach

Agnes (Aggie) became unemployed after a series of personal life events lead her to withdraw from the workforce. Throughout this, she developed a desire to give back through health and care services after seeing the wonderful palliative care team supporting her family.

Looking to upskill to re-enter employment, she was referred by her Disability Employment Services (DES) Consultant to attain her Certificate III in Individual Support with Sureway Skills Training (SST), due to the Trainer Support available.

Aggie dove straight into online study with Trainer Support on hand as she needed. Her confidence noticeably grew as she progressed through course subjects. This was exhibited through her increased engagement, self-motivation and development of successful study habits.

She cruised through her theory assessments. With great support and partnering from SST and her Employment Consultants, a Work Experience placement was sourced with Infin8 Care.

Aggie promptly completed further online learning modules as part of the host employer’s induction.

“At first it was daunting”, she said; however, Aggie took ownership, completing her required 120 hours’ work experience to have her Observation Record signed off.

SST Training Facilitator Darren said “Aggie is a model SST student, DES client, and Work Experience participant. It was very rewarding to see her offered casual work with her host employer, Infin8 Care”.

“Aggie tells me that she has enjoyed learning on the job from others”.

When asked how she would describe her new career, Aggie explained “It is absolutely fantastic. I love it! Everyone’s really good, really helpful. There is never a day thinking ‘Oh I have to go to work’, instead it’s ‘let’s go to work’.”

Aggie has recently been invited to apply for permanent shifts.

Congratulations to Aggie for pursuing a career that she is passionate about, where she delivers care to other families with empathy and compassion daily.

Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.