Fresh outlook to employment

Staff from Outlook who completed their Certificate One in Work Education, from back; John,Paul, Cathy, Supported Employment Manager Tracey Straker ,Andrew, Enrique, Brenton and Karen. Front; Chris, Kristy, Romolo and George. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS 104810_01

By BRIDGET SCOTT

A GROUP of employees from Outlook have broadened their employment opportunities after completing their certificate one in work education.
For some of the workers, it was their first formal qualification and Outlook’s Supported Employment manager Tracey Straker said this added to the excitement.
“For some of our employees, they have only worked at Outlook,” she said.
“It’s also the first formal qualification for all but one of them – so it’s a pretty big achievement.”
The employees all completed their certificates on 29 August this year after a 17-week course.
The course was made possible through a partnership with SITA Environmental Solutions which made their education entry available for the staff to base themselves throughout their course.
Ms Straker said each of the members who participated did so on a voluntary basis and the program tied in with government initiatives.
“They want employees with disabilities to be able to gain more skills,” she said.
“It is also to increase their exposure to other environments and industries.”
Ms Straker explained that Outlook hopes the program will allow its members to obtain work in fields that they are interested in.
“It is to support them to work elsewhere,” she said.
“Whether or not they move into other roles or not, it is still of benefit to them.”