When IGA manager, Terry, asked Job Match Gympie for help finding a trolley collector, Job Match saw this as an opportunity for Kevin, a job seeker with Down syndrome.
Terry had had positive experiences employing people with disability in the past which is why he approached Job Match, his local Disability Employment Network member.
Terry said, ‘I have employed more than 20 people with disability through Job Match and the service provided by disability agencies is essential in giving people like Kevin the same opportunities as others’.
Job Match started Kevin in a pre-employment programme to prepare him for work with IGA.
When Kevin started work one day a week he continued to received support from Job Match to ensure he had the necessary customer service skills and safety knowledge to work in the busy car park.
To help Kevin tell when to go for and come back from his breaks, Job Match helped Kevin get a watch with five alarms through the Workplace Modifications Scheme—an Australian Government scheme that pays for the costs involved in modifying the workplace or purchasing special or adaptive equipment for eligible employees with disability.
Now Kevin works 28 hours over a five day working week and always has a smile and welcome for every customer. Kevin can also manage his time and this has given him independence at work.
The IGA owner, Derek Cornett, is impressed with Kevin’s work ethic: ‘even if Kevin is not feeling well, he still turns up to work each day’. Derek now wants to employ more people with disability.
Providing job seekers and employers with support can make the transition to work smooth.
You can also remind employers that people with disability can have lower absenteeism than other employees and help them apply for the Workplace Modifications Scheme.
Modifications can help job seekers like Kevin gain independence to work. Our Workplace Adjustment Tool has many ideas on workplace modifications and adjustments for people with disability. You can search for ideas based on the job seekers disability or the job’s requirements.
More information?