WorkFocus Australia and JobAccess celebrate 25000 enquiries!

The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Employment Participation joined WorkFocus Australia guests at the RACV Club in Melbourne to celebrate the milestone achievement of 25 000 enquiries to JobAccess. JobAccess is a one-stop-shop on all matters relating to employing people with disability. The service provides free expert information specifically for employers, job seekers, employees with disability, their co-workers and Australian Employment Services Providers.

WorkFocus Australia runs the JobAccess service on behalf of the Australian Government.

In his speech Minister O’Connor said, “Employment participation is a key factor in maintaining the strength of our economy and an important part of our economic focus. People with disability have an enormous amount to contribute and it is very important that we tap into this tremendous resource in a supportive, positive and fair manner.”

Minister O’Connor recognised the efforts of the expert team at JobAccess in “providing individualised and responsive information and advice. The type of help and support offered by JobAccess help those with a disability to not only find jobs but also to retain those jobs” he said.

“We need to support employers to recruit and retain people with disability as well as support people with disability to enter and remain in the workforce.”

WorkFocus Australia CEO, Rob Gordon, welcomed guests including Gerard Menses, CEO, Vision Australia, DEEWR Contract Managers, Employment Service Providers, workplace assessors, employers and JobAccess service recipients whose use of the JobAccess service has made the milestone we are celebrating occur.

“The rapid achievement of this milestone demonstrates that employers are now very much considering the need to look outside the square and tap into previously underutilised sectors of the labour market, to meet their skills and labour shortages. We recognise the good business sense demonstrated by many employers who are now employing people with disability, and challenge other employers experiencing labour shortages to consider the business and social benefits of broadening their recruitment approach to include people with disability”, Mr Gordon said.

Rob Gordon further noted “We are here today to not only celebrate the rapid achievement of this milestone, but to encourage other employers and people with disability to access the assistance and practical help that is available through JobAccess to facilitate the employment of people not only with physical and sensory disability but mental illness also.

Many employers are keen to consider people with disability however are unaware of the assistance they can receive - expert advice, practical assistance and financial incentives through the Workplace Modifications Scheme, Auslan for Employment Program and the Supported Wage System - JobAccess is a one stop shop for all matters relating to employment of people with disability”.

For more information please contact
Nicola Tuckwell
Manager – JobAccess
www.jobaccess.gov.au
1800 464 800
e-mail ntuckwell@workfocus.com