Campbell Page and Tip Top Bakeries have partnered together to champion disability in the workplace.

At Campbell Page our vision is that no one should be denied the opportunity of secure employment, which is why we partner with employers to help make a difference. Together with Tip Top, our goal is to start the conversation and change the way we all think about inclusion in the workplace.

Launching Our Partnership

The Campbell Page and Tip Top Be Seen Employment Program launched in late April 2017. At its foundation, the Be Seen Employment Program aims to build inclusive workplaces that recognise ability.  It will provide a roadmap to employers who believe that diversity is key to a successful and thriving workplace.

Kicking off the program, 9 eager Campbell Page customers were invited to attend an interactive information session, where Tip Top’s Sally Close, could get to know each individual in an informal setting. The idea behind the interactive information session was to change how we look at and conduct standard interviewing and recruitment processes. It gave each individual a chance to demonstrate their strengths without the added pressure of formal recruitment processes.

During the interactive information session, Sally asked the participants to break off into groups of two and discuss their achievements and contributions either in previous work, school or life in general. Each participant then shared their partner’s story.

What struck me most was how articulate and invested they were to each other’s stories. It was great to see how thoroughly prepared our customers were, and how passionate and dedicated our team are, with special mention to Arturos Employment Consultant, Joanne Remedios, and Tracy Stamers who is the Peninsula Employer Partnership Advocate. – Cassandra Warin, National Disability Employer Partnership Manager, Campbell Page

A standout moment for Cassandra and Sally was when a young  Campbell Page customer with Autism, Arturo, sat next to 58-year-old John. John spoke proudly about Arturo’s achievements at school as he encouraged others to overcome their fear of stage performance and Autoro spoke of Johns many accomplishments.

This exercise is something that even the most experienced executive could be involved in, and it was wonderful to see our cohort shine professionally in this environment. – Sally Close, Head of People and Culture, Tip Top

At the end of the day, 6 of the 9 attendees were selected to move to the next stage and come back the following day for a site tour and one on one interviews.

Recognising Ability

For the 6 shortlisted candidates, the next day began with a site induction and a uniform fitting, before they followed Sally through to the Tip Top warehouse in Dandenong. They were given a full introduction to some of the work they may be completing if selected as the successful candidates. From the initial preparation stages and baking of the goods, right through to packaging and distribution, they were shown everything.

The tour gave all candidates the opportunity to ask questions without feeling nervous or anxious. Using the site tour to break the ice meant the candidates were in an environment where everybody was learning, so the task of asking questions was much less daunting than it would have been if they had to ask the same questions on the first day of work.

After the tour, the one on one interviews with Sally began. In these interviews, Sally focused on getting to know each individual to gain a better understanding of what each candidate’s strengths were, and what support they may need. By getting to know each candidate over two days Sally was able to make informed decisions that reflected their abilities.

Having the interviews at this stage of the recruitment process not only makes the candidate feel more comfortable but it also gives the interviewer the opportunity to see a fuller picture of who the person is and whether their values and skills align with the company. – Cassandra

From the 5th of June, Arturo will commence a two week trial period with Tip Top Bakeries. During this two week trial, Arturo will be guided and mentored by Tip Top team members, as well as by Campbell Page.

Be Seen in 2017

In 2017, it is time for organisations to stand up and recognise ability. Implementing small changes in the recruitment process is a great first step for organisations who want to champion disability in the workplace. However, this has to be followed by a well-rounded approach to supporting employees who have an invisible or physical disability.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported in 2012 that the unemployment rate for people with a disability sat at 9.4%, which is nearly twice the rate of 4.9% for people without a disability.* The Campbell Page and Tip Top Be Seen Employment Program is an initiative built by both organisations to lower the unemployment rate of people with a disability.

Tip Top is a trusted, creative bakery, with a proud and strong history baking for Australians for over 50 years. Tip Top make, sell and distribute across Australia and New Zealand, with 16 bakeries, 22 main depots, 2 offices and over 4,500 employees. Their products include bread, rolls, buns, crumpets, muffins, pikelets, hotcakes, cake, speciality bread, breadcrumbs and frozen goods such as pizza bases and garlic bread for retail and food service industries.

Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming people’s lives through securing long-term employment. We believe that all people with a disability have the potential to be meaningful contributors to their employers and through employment be included in all aspects of the community. That’s why we work with employers to champion diversity in the workplace, which in turn can help their businesses thrive. This year we are calling on our team, our customers, employers and communities to #beseenin2017.

Click here to find out more about Campbell Page and Tip Top, or contact us directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au 

**Australian Bureau of Statistics, Disability and Labour Force Participation, 2012 (2015). At http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4433.0.55.006

Jade first came to Bega Campbell Page in October 2015. At this time in her life, she was unemployed but had found it easy enough to find jobs – it was keeping them that she struggled with. This was partly due to the fact that the transition stage into new roles caused her to grow anxious, and also because she had not found a job that she truly enjoyed.

Jade’s Candidate Coach, Michelle, began working with her to highlight her skills, passions and goals and move her from unemployed to permanent work. Together developed a job plan that became centred around Jade’s love of animals.

Working with Jade, I soon discovered her love of animals and the outdoors. After finding this out, I realised why she was unemployed and none of her previous roles had worked out. – Michelle

Finding a job that involved working outside and with animals proved to be a difficult task due to the region that Jade lived in, however, determined to reach her goals, Jade persisted. Eventually, in 2016, Jade was placed as a volunteer at Potoroo Palace – a Native Animal Sanctuary.

When Jade first started volunteering she was a grounds keeper. Her role included completing various tasks such as keeping the grounds clear of leaves and debris as well as general park maintenance.  Jade quickly demonstrated her love of animals and commitment to the park. This lead to Jade being employed on a permanent part time basis. Jade’s role changed, her responsibilities increased, and she now helps out in all aspects of running the park including animal care, grounds maintenance, tours, wildlife talks in and working in the café as required.

I was so excited that my hard work paid off! I now get to work even closer with the animals and have learnt so much in a short period of time. – Jade

Jade often goes beyond her paid work hours by taking home injured wildlife and newborn animals to give them 24-hour care and support as needed.

It is probably the most rewarding part of my job. I love to seeing the progress that these animals make and knowing that I have made a difference.

With the help of Potoroo Palace, Jade is about to reach her next goal by completing a Zookeeping course, which will help her do her job even better.

Jade is now is loving life and feels she has found her niche. She is proud of the work she is doing. Jade happily talks to visitors of the park and is comfortable giving wildlife talks, a thing she would never have been able to do on the past, and her passion and love for the job shines through.

Potoroo Palace is a not for profit wildlife sanctuary between Bega and Merimbula on the Far South Cost of NSW. To find out more about Potoroo Palace, please click here to visit the website.

Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming people’s lives through securing long-term employment. If you would like to find out more about what we do, please click here, or click here to contact us directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au

Selina Hughes and Keita Obah-Lenoy were participants of Campbell Page’s Community Development Program activities on Palm Island – now they are both excelling in their field as Advanced Care Paramedics (ACPs).

Selina and Keita trained in Brisbane for several months under the Queensland Ambulance Service and have returned to Palm Island to assist in the development of their community.

We want to build a closer relationship between Queensland’s Indigenous Communities and the Ambulance Service that can help us to get a better understanding of the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. – Selina

Both ladies believe that they can help the health care system better understand the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by incorporating local and cultural knowledge to enhance the level of service they provide.

The whole Palm Island community is extremely proud and cannot wait to see them around the Island again in their new uniforms.

Campbell Page has been operating employment programs on Palm Island since 2013, including the Community Development Program (CDP), which commenced in 2015. Since then, our CDP Team has been dedicated to increasing employment and breaking the cycle of welfare dependency on Palm Island. Within the community, we are developing activities that build the skills of participants and ensure they are job ready, while also being meaningful to the individual, and culturally appropriate.

Congratulations Selina and Keita!

Campbell Page is a not for profit organisation dedicated to transforming people’s lives through securing long-term employment. If you would like to find out more about us, please visit our website or contact us directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au

After 12 years of unemployment, Kynie connected with Campbell Page IPS in South Australia, to help her find a job while also keeping her mental health in check.

The road towards training and employment has not been an easy one for Kynie. She has experienced mental health issues that have made it difficult to not just find a job but maintain it. So when she teamed up with Campbell Page, she was excited but slightly hesitant to get her hopes up.

The first 12 months with Campbell Page saw Kynie overcome numerous barriers and uncover skills and attributes she never realised made her an ideal candidate for different roles. However, for a six-week period, she disconnected and was relatively unreachable.

Eventually, I got on to Kynie and let her know that we cared about her and that she could come back at anytime with no questions asked. – Dorothy Pitcher, IPS Specialist.

Dorothy’s persistence with Kynie paid off, as she returned to Campbell Page to continue to build her skillset and find a job she enjoyed. At this point, Kynie revealed that she had a special interest in working within the community sector. Almost immediately, Dorothy sprung into action, and together with Kynie, she secured a spot in a Community Services Introduction Program with the local community house, Para Hills Community Centre.

I told Dot that I wanted to work in the community sector and would love to become a Mental Health Mentor one day and she was so quick to help me reach my goals. – Kynie

After completing the program, Kynie was beginning to feel confident in herself and as if she now had a good foundation of knowledge. She voiced to Dorothy that she would now like to further her skills and training by completing her Certificate IV in Individual Support at Enhance Training and Recruitment.

Fast forward to present time, and Kynie is in the last week of her placement and has been offered paid employment at SA Care. Congratulations Kynie, it appears all of your hard work has paid off!

Kynie firmly believes that the support and guidance she has been given from Campbell Page through the IPS Program is what has helped her find her way and keep her mental health on track.

The IPS Program enabled me to work at my own pace and ensure that my mental health was in check. My puppies have also helped keep me grounded and my mental health well rounded. – Kynie

Kynie will continue to receive support from Campbell Page while she commences the first six months of her employment with SA Care.

Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming people’s lives. If you or someone you know struggles with their mental health, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website for more information.

IPS stands for Individual Placement Support and is a program that Campbell Page supports through our Disability Employment Services. To find out more about our DES services, please click here or contact your local Campbell Page Hub directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au

Felicity is based in Laura, which is roughly two hours inland from Cooktown. She is one of our remarkable Green Army Team Supervisors that helps lead our Mary Valley and Thenacull teams to success.

We sat down with Felicity and asked her what she loved about the Green Army:

What do you enjoy the most about the Green Army and Campbell Page?
“Living in a remote indigenous community has proven hard for locals to gain employment. Campbell Page has given us all an opportunity to work and it has been great that Campbell Page have provided so many people and youths an opportunity to be employed, which in return has shown people their self-worth and dignity.”

What have you learnt from the Green Army?
“The Green Army has given us the opportunity to work with the land we all love to help protect our nature and wildlife. It has provided us with the knowledge on how to look after our Country without having to be a qualified Ranger.”

Why did you want to be a part of the Green Army?
“I wanted to join the Green Army because, its chance to look after our country. It is great that the programme is based in remote locations as it has given our community a chance to learn and grow without having to relocate”
The Green Army is a hands-on, practical environmental action programme that supports local environmental and heritage conservation projects across Australia. It is an Australian Government Programme for young people aged 17–24 years who are interested in protecting their local environment. Participants receive an allowance and gain practical skills, training and experience in environmental and conservation fields.

Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming people’s lives through securing long-term employment. To find out more about us, please click here to browse our website and contact us.