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A new direction
11 January 2008
'What have you got to lose? You could potentially be losing a good worker by not giving people with a disability a chance.'
Multi Direct, Joondalup supervisor Pina, knows that good staff can be hard to find. When job seeker Brendon came for an interview in 2006, she didn't see a disability. She saw a confident, enthusiastic man who wanted to work. She offered him the job and has never looked back.
However, Brendon's journey to this point had been tough. In 2005 an accident left him wheelchair bound as an incomplete tetraplegic. Due to the length of his absence from work, Brendon’s former employer could no longer hold his job open for him.
Brendon needed help to find suitable work. In 2006 he had a Job Capacity Assessment to find the most appropriate disability employment service for his needs. He was referred to CRS Australia's Joondalup office for vocational rehabilitation, a program combining rehabilitation with employment assistance.
An initial assessment by rehabilitation consultant Nyree, showed that Brendon was managing his physical condition and was highly motivated to return to work. However, he needed help identifying a new career direction.
'I sat down with Ian, my employment services consultant, and worked out different paths, directions and jobs that I felt more capable of doing. It made me broaden my horizons for the goals I was setting,' said Brendon.
With an updated resume, Brendon contacted potential employers and applied for several positions that would utilise his customer service skills. Like anyone applying for jobs, he found it difficult to maintain his confidence in the face of rejection. He found the support and encouragement from Nyree essential in helping him keep focused on his goal of obtaining employment.
With the help of Ian, Brendon organised an interview with Multi Direct in Joondalup, a call centre for Australian charities. Pina Mola, the office supervisor, saw his confidence, enthusiasm and drive and offered him a position.
Brendon regularly exceeds his work targets. Within a couple of months his hard work and dedication has been recognised by winning the 'Rookie of the Month' award.
Brendon now feels that he has a lot more to contribute in his personal life as well as to society in general. He says, 'Working is all about feeling that sense of purpose again.'
Pina is thrilled with Brendon, who has become an important part of the Multi Direct team.
'The satisfaction I've felt from seeing Brendon succeed has fulfilled me as a supervisor. It would be great if we could get more people with Brendon's attitude,' she says.
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For all media enquiries contact CRS Australia Marketing and Communications on 02 6211 6996.
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