Sails waterfront restaurant on the George River, Sandringham, was afloat with success this month, with the 2019 campaign launch of NOVA Employment's 100 Jobs in 100 Days.
In support of a more inclusive workforce in the community, the campaign welcomed more than 70 guests, as a light beamed on the topics of ability within disability.
Business managers shared their positive views and experiences of hiring staff with diverse disabilities through NOVA Employment, including Miranda RSL executive chef Andrew Harper, Goodhew Gardens Taren Point manager Mark Aros, and St George Leagues Club's Lisa Petrie.
For more than 28 years, NOVA Employment, a specialised recruitment company, has matched businesses to staff with a disability, including those with intellectual and physical barriers to work.
April 1 marked the start of NOVA's 100 jobs in 100 days campaign this year, encouraging businesses to take on new employees.
In past years during the campaign they have secured roles across a wide range of industries, from family-owned shops to warehousing, manufacturing, real estate and hospitality, for people with hearing impairment, Asperger's, Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.
Alister Brawls from Harvey Norman Warehouse is one of the employers who has used NOVA Employment to hire staff members, Ben and Casey.
"They both work in our warehouse so they're responsible for the receiving of goods that come from suppliers, they're responsible for putting it away and they're also responsible for customer interactions, so customers come in to pick up their goods that they've purchased from Harvey Norman, they're a part of that. So it's in a big way they are a front for Harvey Norman," Mr Brawls said.
"They're also really important because they're the last people to have interaction with a customer. So that customer has purchased an item, they're excited, they're picking it up from our warehouse and they are the people who say goodbye to that customer and thank them for their purchase.
"The best people that I've employed in my business has been through word of mouth. So whether it's a friend of a neighbour, they tell you about someone. NOVA has become that friend, NOVA has become that neighbour and a fantastic source in finding new people for our business.
"I've really cherished and valued the relationship I have with both Ben and Casey and to see how they've grown as individuals through our business has been priceless.
"For a business looking at having NOVA Employment as a part of finding successful candidates to join their team, the best advice that I could give them is give them is give them an opportunity, give them a go."
Andrew Cain, co-owner of Delicious Dairies, has also worked with NOVA for six years, employing three staff with disabilities during that time, Daniel, Jordan and Damien.
"We employed Daniel six years ago and he's still with us now. He started out four hours a day, four days a week as a storeman, and he's now full time" Mr Cain said.
"Daniel's got ADHD and dyslexia and had never lasted at a full time job before. But since he's been with us he's learned to count better, read better, write better. He's even gone on to get married and bought a house with his wife."
Their receptionist Jordan was also employed through NOVA.
"She's deaf and has cochlear implants. She answers our phones and is the first person who anyone talks to when they rings our company," Mr Cain said.
"NOVA really helped out a lot with getting her set up. We even got a grant to upgrade our phone system so Jordan's cochlear implants are plugged directly into the phone, which cuts out any background noise so Jordan can hear the phone calle more clearly."
He said he would encourage anyone who has a job that would suit to give an employee through NOVA a go.
"The thing we've noticed is a lot of the other people out there don't want to work. And that's the difference with NOVA. The people we've hired through them have proven to us they want to work, and want to be productive members of society," he said.
"And the support you get from NOVA is fantastic. Our support person through NOVA comes in every week and speaks to our employees and makes sure everything's alright, and then also talks to us. Having that person in the middle really makes everything ok."
Business owners and hiring managers interested in knowing more about NOVA Employment's free recruitment service, call 1300 ABILITY (1300 224 5489).
