CASE STUDY Creating employment maintenance and conducted a with their illnesses and disabilities and find it opportunities for people with Minda at two of Telstra’s exchanges. The really tough to get work. It’s an enormous disability. was so successful they expanded it chance for them if With only 54 per cent of working- age to other non-profit organisations and the a company like Telstra provides people with disability in the Australian Supported Workforce Program was born. opportunities for employment. labour Telstra’s Supported It has grown, now employing (via The impact is huge - the sense of pride Workforce Program is helping to make contract arrangements) more than 300 and purpose, establishing a routine, a difference. people from 14 non-profit organisations, talking and meeting with other people The idea for the program was sparked servicing more than 700 exchanges and and being able to buy Christmas presents when Telstra’s Michael Marrett saw 4,000 Telstra network sites nationwide. for loved ones is incredible. the positive impact of a job for One example is WISE Employment, It’s amazing that a job’ - whether it’s ‘just people with disability through his son’s which provides jobs for 50 people across mowing lawns or cleaning - can create so employment at Minda, a non-profit Australia. much benefit in someone’s life and in the organisation supporting South Australians lives of the people around them. The with intellectual and physical disabilities. General Manager Matthew impact on an individual’s wellbeing and Lambelle says lot of our “A Michael’s team was looking for their livelihood can be turned around by employees are struggling with suppliers for network site programs like these.”
CASE STUDY Creating employment opportunities for people with disability. With only 54 per cent of working- age people with disability in the Australian labour Telstra’s Supported Workforce Program is helping to make a difference. The idea for the program was sparked when Telstra’s Michael Marrett saw the positive impact of a job for people with disability through his son’s employment at Minda, a non-profit organisation supporting South Australians with intellectual and physical disabilities. Michael’s team was looking for suppliers for network site maintenance and conducted a with Minda at two of Telstra’s exchanges. The was so successful they expanded it to other non-profit organisations and the Supported Workforce Program was born. It has grown, now employing (via contract arrangements) more than 300 people from 14 non-profit organisations, servicing more than 700 exchanges and 4,000 Telstra network sites nationwide. One example is WISE Employment, which provides jobs for 50 people across Australia. General Manager Matthew Lambelle says “A lot of our employees are struggling with their illnesses and disabilities and find it really tough to get work. It’s an enormous chance for them if a company like Telstra provides opportunities for employment. The impact is huge - the sense of pride and purpose, establishing a routine, talking and meeting with other people and being able to buy Christmas presents for loved ones is incredible. It’s amazing that ‘just a job’ - whether it’s mowing lawns or cleaning - can create so much benefit in someone’s life and in the lives of the people around them. The impact on an individual’s wellbeing and their livelihood can be turned around by programs like these.”
telstra-sixth-disability-action-plan-2013-2016.docx