Clients from Pakenham-based disability support service Outlook Australia have rolled up their sleeves and got hands-on with new skills as part of a phased rollout of supported work experience at the Outlook Resource Recovery Centre and Recycled Goods Shop in Hampton Park.
Over a two-week period, clients Nick, Januka and Alex would be joining the team, beginning with four hours per week and gradually increasing their hours based on their individual goals and needs.
On his first day, Nick was warmly welcomed by the staff, who were attentive to his needs and made him feel like a valued member of the team from the start.
Alex has also launched into work disassembling computer components to recover recyclable materials, ensuring nothing ends up in landfill unless it cannot be reused.
With guidance from site staff and a dedicated disability support worker, they would be gaining hands-on experience in resource recovery, customer service, sustainability, payments and cash handling, workplace safety, and more.
The group would also be exposed to other functions within the resources and sustainability sector, such as tool and equipment usage, work health and safety practices, teamwork, critical thinking, recycling and resource recovery.
Outlook senior program and support planners Jayden Harrison and Emily Walton have been working to build relationships and source opportunities for participants to engage in work training and skill development.
However, due to the barriers people with disabilities face in accessing work, the most effective solution was to create more opportunities within the organisation, with the organisation proud to announce 70 per cent of its social enterprise division staff come from priority workforce groups, including people with disabilities.
Casey Council have announced the Hampton Park site as a finalist in the Employment Diversity category of this year’s Casey Business awards.
