The City of Cockburn is the 2019 BIZLINK Employer of the Year, recognising the City’s support of inclusive employment for people with a disability.
The City of Cockburn has 18 employees under the Supported Wage System, and 17 are registered with BIZLINK as their Disability Support Provider.
The City’s Parks Services team has 13 BIZLINK clients, three are in Executive Services and Megan Grant in the Spearwood Library is the longest serving supported wage employee at Cockburn, reaching a milestone of 21 years.
City of Cockburn Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cain said some of the City’s best employees were those that worked in Supported Wage Crews.
“The enthusiasm with which they turn up and do their work each day motivates and inspires me,” Mr Cain said.
“The professionalism with which BIZLINK helps the City to manage these employees means that they are able to work on the same terms as any other of the City’s 1,030 employees.”
The Employer of the Year Award recognized the number and proportion of staff at the City that were BIZLINK workers; the level and nature of interaction workers have with staff and customers; the level of support demonstrated to facilitate training and integration; and the City’s commitment to the notion of a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
BIZLINK site manager Steve Mangan said the City of Cockburn continued to lead the way within local government in WA, providing meaningful employment opportunities for people with a range of abilities.
“As an employer, they truly understand the value of having a workforce that reflects the community that they serve. BIZLINK is extremely grateful for the ongoing support the City of Cockburn has shown and continue to show in championing diversity and inclusion.
“We congratulate the City of Cockburn on being awarded the 2019 BIZLINK employer of the year and look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come,” Mr Mangan said.
The City was selected from four finalists including the Hotel Clipper; F45 Training in Baldivis, Rockingham, Wellard and Waikiki; and The University of Western Australia’s Department of Plant Biology.
Caption: City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett, Sam Gibson, David Cipriani, and City of Cockburn CEO Stephen Cain.