PROK mines workforce diversity potential with support from JobAccess

West Australian manufacturing company PROK produces conveyor components. These products are used by a range of companies in the mining and engineering industries.

PROK values workforce diversity. It recognises that different thinking and skills within the team can lead to developing unique products and services. PROK partnered with the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) to boost disability inclusion in the organisation.

The NDRC is JobAccess' employer engagement service. It partners with organisations to improve their disability knowledge and confidence. NDRC partnerships are for 12 months and are available at no cost to employers.

Drive to build a disability-confident culture

Rory Morrison, PROK’s Indirect Purchasing Manager, says that improving inclusion was key to partnering with the NDRC. “We wanted to improve accessibility for people with disability, be more inclusive, and boost community engagement.”

Rory recalls they came across JobAccess and NDRC through a web search. “Our objectives were to learn and apply meaningful strategies and increase our recruitment reach.”

An NDRC Adviser worked with Rory and PROK to support their 12-month partnership.

Making a sustainable impact

As part of partnership, the NDRC Adviser reviewed PROK’s recruitment processes to provide advice on best practices. The NDRC also delivered disability awareness training, which started important conversations about disability between the team. The training focused on disability employment basics, including inclusive language, and making reasonable adjustments.

Rory reflects, “The disability awareness training was the key part. All employees enjoyed it immensely, which fostered confidence for more open discussions.”

He adds, “We met our partnership objectives about learning without a doubt. Mainly through the training, but also through the recruitment review process the Adviser provided. We reviewed our website and job advertisements for better access and inclusion.”

I appreciate all the efforts the Adviser and the NDRC team have made in supporting PROK. We have work to do. But it has deepened our understanding of what to do to support disability employment.

Wade Guelfi
General Manager, PROK

The partnership supported PROK’s approach to attract, hire, and retain people with disability. “It helped remove some stigmas and fears. It has armed us with knowledge. We are now aware of pathways and manyassistance programs that are in place. We have also identified some roles that could be performed with workplace adjustments,” Rory shares.

Rory says the strong buy-in from PROK’s leadership is key to their disability inclusion efforts. “Our General Manager is incredibly supportive of the whole process. We have strong buy-in from across the leadership group. We have a very diverse culture within the workforce. The common ground is that we are all open individuals,” Rory says.

Are you looking to build a disability-confident workplace? Talk to the experts.

The National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) partners with employers to develop inclusive workplace policies. They also advise on good practice to support people with disability.

The NDRC also provides a vacancy distribution service to employers. It offers other services too. These include workplace training and employer seminars on disability awareness.

Call us at 1800 464 800 to connect with the NDRC. You can also submit an online enquiry form through the JobAccess website.