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Local employment service provider Centacare is assisting job seekers with a permanent disability to find desired employment. The four star Jobactive rated employment provider has been offering employment services to the Ballarat community for 20 years, and are now utilising their experience and expertise to enable job seekers living with a disability.
Ongoing case management, advocating on the job seekers behalf, increasing participant's skills and experience, are all outcomes expected throughout the Disability Employment Service (DES). The service provides specialist employment assistance to help people with a disability to find and retain suitable employment.
The support offered is tailored to the individuals needs offering participation in training, activities, work experience and assistance to gain licences and workplace tickets to achieve aspirational career goals.
Centacare's experienced employment consultants work closely with job seekers, developing personalised job plans, assisting with resumes and helping prepare for interviews. Along with building job seekers confidence and experience, DES consultants connect job seekers with local employer networks and advocate on their behalf.
Delivery driver at Peaches Fruit Market and DES participant, Joshua felt his driving licence was his biggest asset for employment. "I thought that having a licence would be an easy way of getting a job. I drive and deliver produce for Peaches and I love it, it's awesome. DES were really helpful giving me the tools to get the job," he said.
Senior DES employer consultant, Travis Preston saw Joshua's potential. "Joshua has been linked with us since July last year, where he transitioned from our Jobactive program. Joshua has always been outgoing and was always going to be an asset to any employer who was willing to give him a go.
"In August Joshua was able to gain employment with Peaches Fruit Market (and) through our post placement support we continue to remain in contact with Joshua and the employer to ensure satisfaction is met by both parties," said Mr Preston.
The opportunity to gain reliable and enthused employees throughout DES referrals has been an incentive for employers. Stewart Lawrence, HR coordinator at Peaches said it was great to have someone so eager to start working that soon reflected Joshua's work ethic.
"Joshua is one of our best employees, we focus on his ability rather than the disability, he always puts in 100 percent in everything he does," he said.
Throughout connecting and maintaining relationships between the employer and DES participants, the program enables job seekers with disabilities to overcome employment barriers and achieve their goals.