CAPALABA resident Zac Borchi’s chances of employment would have been slim after graduating high school last year if he had not completed work experience at Help Enterprises at Eagle Farm.
The 18-year-old has secured a full-time role within Help’s supported employment Supply Chain Services business and relishes the independence this has brought him.
“When I was in school I was doing work experience three days a week here at Eagle Farm and they saw that I was good and they put me onto being an employee,” he said.
“I like the people here (and) I like to learn new jobs and learn new skills.”
Students with disability across Brisbane’s bayside, south side and Logan will also be empowered to follow in Zac Borchi’s footsteps after high school as as plans for a multi-million-dollar disability employment and skills hub and supply chain services business are underway at Crestmead.
This follows today’s announcement about the partnership between Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland, who will contribute one million dollars, and Help Enterprises to help cover the funding gap, with the purchase of a $3.3 million Help Centre of Excellence Community Disability Hub.
Schools can then refer year 10 to 12 students with disability to the centre’s early intervention programs to build skills and confidence and to maximize employment opportunities when they finish their schooling.
Help Enterprises managing director Kerry Browne said without early intervention more young people with disability would fall through the cracks, heading for long-term unemployment and social isolation.
“Having a job that you enjoy doing brings with it greater independence, a greater sense of self-worth, confidence as well as personal and professional development – which are things we all want in life,” he said.
Hand Heart Pocket chief executive officer Gary Mark said education and employment for young people with disability aligned with the organisation’s focus.
“Bridging the gap to equip students with disability with the skills to find and maintain gainful employment throughout their adult life resonates with our values which are about alleviating suffering and empowering people to lead more independent lives,” he said.
