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A road to success
Merseylink Bus Service has been servicing the Devonport region in Tasmania for the past 11 years. Each school day, it makes 152 trips and over a year, travels 421,000 kilometres and carries 333,000 passengers.
For over 12 months, Merseylink has been working closely with CRS Australia on an initiative to provide employment opportunities to people with a disability.
Merseylink employs 30 staff and has employed four people with a disability, injury or health condition as bus drivers; two of whom are still working with the company today.
Merseylink looks for candidates who have a positive attitude and customer service skills.
Managing Director of Merseylink, Barry Duckett, said, 'They can be taught to drive, and anyone who needs extra tuition, we're happy to help. It's more about whether they want to do it and want to perform the role.'
'The people we employed [through CRS Australia] are appreciative of having continued employment and this is shown in their everyday work ethic.'Barry Duckett, Managing Director, Merseylink Bus Service, Tasmania
CRS Australia pre-screens candidates to make sure they meet Merseylink's requirements. Barry then meets with the candidate and CRS Australia for an informal interview. If Barry agrees that the candidate has the right attitude, they go through the licensing process.
Once on board, new drivers observe experienced drivers on bus runs and practice ticketing before going out on the road for the first time.
All drivers with a disability are provided with support from CRS Australia for six months after they start work.
Barry's aim is to make the candidate feel comfortable and to impart what he's looking for in a new driver.
'I have a standard saying: we don't expect you to do anything you can't do, or don't want to do. If there is something that is a concern, let's discuss it and we'll get around it,' Barry said.
The recruitment strategy helps Merseylink to meet its recruitment needs and Barry has found that the employees he has hired through CRS Australia are enthusiastic, hardworking and provide stability in his workforce both through their loyalty and by modelling a strong commitment to work.
'The people we employed [through CRS Australia] are appreciative of having continued employment and this is shown in their everyday work ethic. Merseylink is certainly advantaged to have such fine employees,' Barry said.