Media

Jobfind Centre has again achieved outstanding Star Rating results awarded by the Department of Social Services for providing employment related services to people with a disability.

The published results stated that Jobfind’s Fairfield and Wollongong employment service areas, have achieved the highest possible rating of 5 Stars.

Michael Hobday CEO said, “This recognition by the Australian Government acknowledges the outstanding employment outcomes we have gained for our participants over a sustained period. This acknowledgement comes at a time where the industry is preparing for a new model that will give users greater choice over the providers. “

Highlights of the Jobfind results achieved are as follows:

Wollongong ESA (Employment Services Area):  Awarded 5 Stars

Warilla site: Maintained its 5 Stars

Dapto Site: Gained 5 Stars

Wollongong site: Maintained its 4 Stars

Fairfield ESA (Employment Services Area): Awarded 5 Stars

Fairfield site: Maintained its 5 Stars

Cabramatta site: Gained 5 Stars.

Jobfinds success is based on the proven ability to understand and work with individuals to deliver on Government requirements in partnership with local employers. Our services are underpinned by the principles of genuine care and support, which we strive to deliver universally.

Jobfind CEO Michael Hobday said that “Our people and culture are the foundation upon which we are able to unlock the true capacity of our clients. We thank them for their commitment to helping those that are hardest to help.”

Media Contacts
Name: Luke Anscombe/Reshmi Lal
T: (02) 9259 5529/ (02) 9259 5504
E: [email protected] / [email protected]

Angus Knight Limited, a leading Australian disability employment services provider, has this week appointed Mr Stephen Moore to the role of Chief Operating Officer

Mr Moore has 30 years experience in the Commonwealth Government, the last 24 years of which was spent in employment services leading IT and information teams within the Department of Employment.

“I have always had an interest in moving into the business side of employment services and Angus Knight provides a great opportunity for me to do that.”, said Mr Moore.

Notably, Mr Moore set up the first outsourcing program for employment services within the Commonwealth Government, and more recently delivered the necessary IT solutions that support the government’s jobactive, Disability Employment Services and Community Development Program.

“Angus Knight is performing strongly but is always looking for ways to improve.  The employment service industry is ripe for innovative delivery solutions which take advantage of technological advances.”, said Mr Moore.

Mr Moore holds advanced qualifications in economics (econometrics and quantitative economics) and is currently an Adjunct Professor in Information Systems at the University of Canberra.

For more information, images or to arrange an interview with Stephen Moore or Michael Hobday (CEO), please contact:

Media Contact

Dr Daniel Jess

YomStudios

[email protected]

1. 0434 145 881

30 May 2017

HIGH FIVE – Jobfind Celebrates 5 STAR Ratings Success!

Jobfind has achieved outstanding Star Rating results again in the recently released Australian Government report in both its’ Fairfield and Wollongong employment service areas, with the highest possible award of 5 Stars.

This is recognition by the Australian Government of the outstanding employment outcomes we have gained for our participants. The Star ratings are a measurement tool used by the Australian Government to monitor the performance of Disability Employment Services of which Jobfind has a number of contracts.

Highlights of the Jobfind results achieved are as follows:

Wollongong ESA (Employment Services Area): Achieved 5 Stars
Warilla site: Maintained its 5 Stars
Wollongong site: Maintained its 4 Stars
Dapto site: Achieved 4 Stars
Fairfield ESA (Employment Services Area): Maintained its 5 Stars
Fairfield site: Maintained its 5 Stars
Cabramatta site: Maintained its 4 Stars

Jobfind CEO Michael Hobday said that “the work of our passionate, dedicated staff has to be admired, as they have changed the lives of so many people with a disability for the better. Our relationship with employers is achieving fantastic results with our new service delivery model. We look forward to demonstrating what we can achieve in the future under the new DES contract to be announced shortly.”

We are extremely pleased that our Fairfield site is rated amongst one of the best in the country. This is a fabulous result given the challenges we face in such a diverse and culturally challenging community. Our success is based on our ability to understand and work with different ethnic groups and to deliver on the requirements of government in partnership with local employers.

We acknowledge the commitment of our team, often going above and beyond to help our participants find and keep employment. We thank our employers for working with us, realising the potential of our candidates. We also applaud our valued participants, who work so hard to achieve their dreams and we are privileged to provide training and job search services.

Media Contacts
Name: Luke Anscombe/Reshmi Lal
T: (02) 9259 5529/ (02) 9259 5504
E: [email protected] / [email protected]

Today the Australian Government released its official star ratings for the Disability Employment Service (DES) providers of which Jobfind has a number of contracts.

Jobfind achieved a rating of 4 stars in Wollongong and an outstanding 5 stars in Fairfield.

Whilst the STAR ratings indicate that Jobfind’s performance has been outstanding, the most satisfying element to this result is that Jobfind has assisted in changing the lives of those Australians who live with a disability and need assistance in finding a job.

Jobfind CEO Mr Michael Hobday said: “It’s a great day, having a job is one of the most vital elements for anyone in society, it provides purpose, social inclusion and financial security.”

He added: “Jobfind provides training, preparation for interviews & practical advice on the actual job as well as providing post placement support to ensure clients receive the best possible service, to take on a sustainable role in the Australian workforce.”

DES GM Ms Wendy Young was ecstatic about the result: “My congratulations go to the dedicated Managers and all the staff who have given their heart & soul into changing people’s lives, which is reflected in our results.”

She also paid tribute to our participants who for the most part are desperate to work and enjoy the benefits of having sustained employment.

Mr Hobday concluded by saying that he was: “extremely proud of the results achieved in the December quarter. We will celebrate the success of these results on behalf of our clients who have gained employment through their hard work and dedication.”

“These results also only make us more determined to keep achieving and assisting more of our clients with their career aspirations.”

End release:

For further information please call GM Marketing & Development: Scott Longmuir on 0430 700 672

Fairfield Advance (Australia), September 21, 2016 Wednesday JOBFIND SITE’S ON A NEW LEVEL BYLINE: Winsome Walker SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 15 Fairfield residents with a manageable disability, injury or health condition, who also require employment services have a new port of call: the relocated Fairfield Jobfind centre.

Jobfind CEO Michael Hobday said the new centre was crucial with unemployment in Fairfield significantly higher than the national average.
Mr Hobday said the new site offered improved facilities and specialist staff. “The new centre is much larger with updated technology facilities, which also enables Jobfind to conduct training courses for jobseekers at the centre,” Mr Hobday said.
The opening of the centre on September 16 at Ware Street was attended by business and community leaders, local employers and two jobseekers who spoke about their journey to find employment.
Mr Hobday said the centre would cater for Fairfield’s diverse community. “The centre has numerous bilingual staff, which enables productive discussions and really enhances the level of support we can provide to jobseekers both pre and post-employment,” he said.

Hello, my name is Bonnie Fejo and I am a local indigenous woman. I have lived in Katherine all my life and my family heritage originates from two different regions, Darwin and Arnhem land. In 2010, I joined the girl’s school academy (Stronger Smarter Sisters) at Katherine High School in which I completed my education. The academy aimed to assist indigenous students become stronger and confident in their school work and further into employment. This is where i first met Alicia Grenfell who worked as one of the Mentors in the SSS program. I graduated school in 2015 and wanted to see what employment opportunities were available to me.

I enrolled with Jobfind Centre’s Australia in Katherine and was referred to a Work for the Dole activity to gain additional work practices. I participated for about a month then was approached by Alicia Grenfell, CDP Business Manager Katherine and I was given an opportunity to work as a (Trainee Administration Officer). I am still currently employed by Jobfind in the Katherine Region and can honestly say my self-confidence has grown dramatically.

The Garden and Beautification crew have been actively engaging in the Hydroponics project, re-vamping the Jobfind Office yard as well as increasing their Money Management and LL&N skillls.
Involvement has increased significantly as Jobseekers have gained a better understanding of their mutual obligations as well as the growth of plants in the hydroponics “igloos”.

“The relationship between Food Ladder and Jobfind grew from a community based activity back in early 2015.  It was established by a small cohort of Indigenous Women which was designed to focus on healthy lifestyles and healthy tucker. Over a period of 12 months, a long road was travelled.  Limited support was provided by other interest groups.  It was only as a result of the patience of Alex and Kelly from Food Ladder that enabled this project to have the positive outcomes that it has in the community today.

Both Jobfind and Food Ladder are seeking to transition this activity into a social enterprise for the Katherine Indigenous Women’s Association by June 2018.   The work between Jobfind and Food Ladder has only just commenced.

We must also acknowledge that such an activity with a large capital set up, would not have been considered without the assistance of the Community Development Program under the support of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.”

We saw the participants of our Creative Industries activity hold a market day to showcase their wares to the local community and service providers in Gununa.

Preparation for the market day improved participation and enthusiasm in the activity and the ladies are keen to do another one this month. They now have the skills to do this. Participants learned and used the following skills:

•     Sewing of goods to a saleable quality
•     Making  and selling coffee
•     Display and merchandising of goods
•     Designing and producing a flyer
•     Marketing and Promotion of an event in the community.

The day showed participants that they can be entrepreneurial and that even in a small remote community there are potential business opportunities.

Twelve young jobseekers were the first to participate in the learner driver training, each attended daily through a combination of face to face assistance delivered by our R4W facilitator and on-line practice assessments via QLD Department of Transport. Some of these participants are experiencing barriers such as LL&N and motivation, so to see this group attend each and every day exceeded all of our expectations.

A second group of jobseekers requiring their provisional licence were pooled together to assess their hours logged and licencing readiness. Most of these participants have held their learners for some time and struggled to obtain enough hours required before sitting for their licencing test, or just lacked confidence. Jobfind arranged for a driving school to visit our Kuranda office to conduct one hour driving lessons. This fast became popular as normally these services are not available in Kuranda, log book hours are also worth double when signed off by the instructor.

Finally a third group of jobseekers requiring P2’s were contacted and combined with the other two groups on the Friday to attend the Mareeba Department of Transport via our Jobfind bus plus an additional car. The Dept. of Transport was very accommodating; fortunately they were pre-warned of the instant influx of people about to walk in their door.

The outcome was fantastic; over 15% of our participants requiring licencing assistance achieved their goals. Those who did not pass were still commended for their outstanding efforts by Jobfind staff and their peers. Everyone who participated in the training was rewarded by a well-deserved sausage sizzle once they returned from Mareeba.

This program proved to be highly successful, we are looking to implement learner driver training on a regular basis and invite The Learning Workshop to identify and assist with LL&N barriers as we strive to reduce jobseeker barriers and into their pathway to employment.