September 2020 Volume 97

BIZZYBODIES

RUOK?September 10th marked R U OK? Day which is about looking after the people around you. BIZLINK Supported R U OK? with our TSEP Partners. A conversation could make all the difference to someone who is struggling with their mental health. For more information on R U OK? Day go to www.ruok.org.au

Managing Director ReportTASTEThe BIZLINK TASTE project funded under the NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) final report was submitted 31 August 2020. BIZLINK plans to continue running TASTE workshops or TASTE bites. More information is on our website www.bizlink.asn.au/taste.php

Pictured 1 Jonathan

BIZLINK and TSEP supporting RUOK? Day 10/09/2020

BIZLINK achieved strongly against our targets and we developed the program with input from participants. I thank the team for their effort and commitment in making TASTE a success.

Star RatingsBIZLINK – 100% of outcomes = Jobs!

Generalist Provider Central & West

March 2020 Rating

APM +2 (3 Star)BIZLINK 0 (3 Star)Maxima -9 (3 Star)EDGE -12 (3 Star)At Work -25 (2 Star)Match works -29 (2 Star)Status -44 (2 Star)

Generalist ProviderNorth

March 2020 Rating

APM +12 (3 Star)BIZLINK +6 (3 Star)At Work +4 (3 Star)Status -8 (3 Star)Ability Centre -17 (3 Star)EDGE -18 (3 Star)MAX -28 (2 Star)Peedac -32 (2 Star)Job life -52 (1 Star)

With our Midland site at 4 Stars and knowing all our outcomes are jobs, you realise BIZLINK is performing better than the Stars show. BIZLINK has a Contract Star Rating of 3 in both the Central & West and North Employment Service Areas.

The Department announced a very significant change to the Star Ratings. Education Placements will no longer be included in calculations from August 2020. For BIZLINK our focus has always been on securing quality employment, but some providers have been relying on education for their Star Rating. So over time it will be interesting to see how the ratings change. We will, as always, continue to offer education when it meets our client’s individual career goals and Job Plan.

Even though some providers may have used Education to inflate their Star Ratings, I am pleased to advise that BIZLINK is performing very well against National and Local counterparts. We have now completed our second year of the contract, which commenced July 2018. Details will be provided in our Annual Report, available at

our AGM on 13/10/2020 and after the AGM on our website www.bizlink.asn.au/news-info.php I am proud of my team’s efforts in an incredibly challenging time for the entire World, not to mention the complexities of the new contract in terms of compliance and funding arrangements.

Quality AuditDespite the impact on COVID-19 and the demands of meeting the requirements, in July 2020, we successfully completed our External Quality Audit. A demanding two weeks of being reviewed against the National Standards for Disability Services and ISO 9001. The Department also required a compliance audit at the same time, to which our team rose to that challenge too. The compliance and red tape endured by our staff to provide a quality service is unlike any most other businesses would ever experience.

I would like to thank those who volunteered to participate in the audit by talking on the phone or coming in to BIZLINK to meet with Patrick and Zel from SAI Global, it was greatly appreciated. The Department of Social Services requires that Disability Support Certification be maintained throughout the term of our contract.

Fifty Game MilestoneAaron is currently volunteering at The Salvation Army in Rockingham while his Job Search Coordinator Pauline is working on matching him to the right job.

Aaron is a keen footy player and a friendly member of the Salvation Army team that gets along well with his colleagues and greets all customers in a friendly manner with a big smile. While he was volunteering a lady from the footy club brought this frame with club badge to present to him for being a great player and having reached 50 games with the club. Aaron was so proud of his achievement and we congratulate him. Being part of the community through sport and volunteering is a great way to build job readiness and confidence.

Sean 20 Years Service

Congratulations Sean, Job Search Coordinator, Joondalup. Sean started as a Support Coordinator in September 2000 and changed to Job Search in 2002. Sean won the 2007 WA Disability Employment Service Employee of the Year Award, has achieved 5 x 100 Club Awards (that’s over 500 jobs!), completed his Cert III, IV and Diploma in Disability Services, was awarded the inaugural Tara Doyle Award (Employee of the Year 2010) and is continuously challenging himself with record-breaking job start targets and new employer partnerships.

Sean has made a significant contribution to BIZLINK and the lives of hundreds of people with disability. Sean has helped our community to become more inclusive and willing to give people with disability an opportunity. He has opened so many doors, his dedication, resilience and incomparable passion for securing quality employment is a testament to his character and belief in people with disability.

TSEP - TAFE Specialist Employment Partnerships

South Metropolitan TAFE and the National Disability Coordination Officer Program (NDCO) have created a new and exciting partnership with BIZLINK, to make employment services even more accessible to TAFE students - TSEP TAFE Specialist Employment Partnerships.

Together with BIZLINK, the TAFE Jobs and Skills Centre are offering this free employment service to support students with a disability or medical condition to find employment.

How does TSEP work? A specialist employment consultant works with TAFE students, including recent graduates, to identify skills, abilities and interests.

They then develop a Job Plan, so that all the services and assistance needed to get the right job are listed. Then, BIZLINK assist with applying for jobs, preparing for work and settling into the job.

BIZLINK’s Project Officer, Jacob, our TSEP Specialist Employment Consultant meets with students and graduates at any South Metropolitan TAFE campus. We have recently been selected as the preferred provider for the North Metro TAFE. TSEP is overseen by Trevor, Operations Manager.

To book an appointment call 9267 7600 or send an email to tsep@smtafe.wa.edu.au

WA Mental Health Week 2020

Mental Health Week is a national week celebrated each year in October kicking off with World Mental Health Day on October 10.

This year’s Mental Health Week theme is Strengthening Our Community – Live, Learn, Work, Play and we are continuing to aim at increasing mental wellbeing in WA communities.

In 2020, the aim is to boost mental wellbeing in WA communities by:

• Encouraging each of us to support and look out for one another

• Promoting mental health literacy and self-care tips

• Raising awareness of mental health issues and reducing stigma associated with seeking support.

More info is available at https://mentalhealthweek.org.au/about/

Coronavirus UpdateEach BIZLINK site has a COVID-19 Safety Plan as per the WA Health guidelines. The plan documents how our staff, clients and visitors will be kept safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The certificate is displayed at each office.

COVID-19 symptoms, see the Department of Health https://www.health.gov.au/ can include: fever, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath.

If you are unwell stay home – contact your Coordinator who will assist you with any Centrelink obligations and/or your employer if you are working and need such help.

You will be updated if there are any changes to how BIZLINK must provide service and

assistance. Stay up to date with Facebook: www.facebook.com/bizlinkqualityemployment/

Your Coordinator will also keep you up to date using your preferred method of contact.

With face-to-face contact staff will continue to use hygiene and physical distancing to reduce any risk of infection; e.g. cover mouth if cough or sneeze, use tissues, wash hands regularly, avoid any personal contact including shaking hands.

To maintain hygiene in our offices our staff must disinfect their own work areas, interview rooms and reception areas after any use and use hand sanitiser and/or thoroughly wash hands with soap before and after any contact.

If you are unwell – stay at home BIZLINK staff will refuse entry to our offices if you appear unwell or show any symptoms of a cold or flu.

BIZLINK has a buddy system in place. If your Coordinator cannot attend work, they will have a co-worker arranged to assist you as required.

Whilst WA has done incredibly well with our hard border closures, we must remain cautious. The situation is constantly monitored, and we will make changes as advised by the Department / Government. If you have any questions, please call or email your Coordinator and they will direct your query to the best person to respond.

Example of COVID Safety Plan at each BIZLINK office

Kalid and Jayden City of Cockburn Feature by the City of Cockburn 31/07/2020

Keen BIZLINK employees return to work at CockburnCity of Cockburn Parks Operations team members Kalid and Jayden have returned to their outdoor roles, keen to proudly continue making their mark in the community following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

They have enthusiastically returned to work in our local parks, with Kalid Hayden (19) among fellow team members who made regular contact with the City during the pandemic shutdown period, for news of when they could rejoin their teams and get back to the work they love.

The pair, graduates of Atwell College and Emmanuel Catholic College respectively, began working with Cockburn in December 2019 as part of a team of 19 City employees with BIZLINK as their Disability Support Provider.

Jayden Walley-Kaehne (18) loves operating the blower vac and raking the parks’ sandpits, and along with now being able to use a blower vac at home to help out in the garden, his job has given him the chance to make new friends and start saving for his first car.

Kalid completed a Certificate II in Horticulture at school and loves the feeling of satisfaction he gets from leaving a park clean and tidy, as part of the City’s busy litter pick up team.

City of Cockburn Human Resources Manager Cliff McKinley said the City’s BIZLINK staff members

demonstrated the important role of the City’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, first adopted in 2007.

“The City aims to give people with disability equal opportunity to obtain and maintain employment with us,” Mr McKinley said.

“Cockburn has been actively employing people with disability for more than 16 years and we value the sense of purpose it provides both for these staff members and our City as an organisation. We continue to strive to be a leader in this area, in local government in WA.”

“About five per cent of the City’s overall staff identify as having a disability. Of our 19 BIZLINK clients, three are employed in the Executive Services area, 14 in Parks Operations, one in Procurement and an employee in Library Services who has been with us for more than 14 years.”

In 2019, the City was named the BIZLINK Employer of the Year in recognition of its support of inclusive employment of people with disability. BIZLINK Managing Director Brian Park said he was pleased to partner with the City of Cockburn to provide employment opportunities for people with a disability. “Employment not only improves the quality of life for individuals but enhances their inclusion and participation in the broader community,” Mr Park said.https://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au

CADEN Sharp probably did not expect his first job to go so well, but he has embraced the extra responsibility it has provided him with.

The 19-year-old is loving life after securing a part-time role with Coles in South Lake at the start of this year, following a successful work placement with them.

Mr Sharp lives with autism and secured a work placement with his local supermarket after working with BIZLINK to find employment options, having not previously held any permanent positions prior to his current role.

He initially started off as a greeter near the supermarket’s entrance, before he was rewarded with a promotion and now has a permanent position on the checkouts.

Caden’s mother Sarah said she had noticed her son’s self-confidence skyrocket with the added responsibility and she had seen a whole new side to him.

“It gave him confidence in himself and his ability to learn and grow and in his own personal value,” she said. “He’s become a lot more confident and it was funny because he was never nervous or anxious or anything like that before. But I actually saw him a few times display anxiety because he wanted to do a good job, which is great because he was driven by a goal.”

Ms Sharp said Coles had been incredibly accommodating and very supportive in giving Caden a position to best excel.

Her son said he really enjoyed working in the store and he had been made to feel welcome and comfortable from day one.

“It’s made me a bit busier, which is good. I really do enjoy it, the staff are very good. It’s a very good store and I would recommend working here,” Mr Sharp said.

Having witnessed her son grow more confident as a result of his employment, Ms Sharp urged other businesses to employ more people living with a disability and embrace the diversity they brought to the workplace.

“I do think it’s really important that big employers and companies like Coles undertake their social responsibility and support all sectors of the community and have that diversity in their employment choices,” she said.

“Employing kids like Caden and taking the time to train them and do that is an essential move and I’d like to see a lot more big companies doing that.”

https://www.perthnow.com.au/community-news/

Wellways to Work

Jacob and Liz from BIZLINK with Wellways presenters

Wellways to Work provided a seven-week education and support program to support people with mental health issues to take steps towards work and study. Presented by Mental Illness Fellowship of Western Australia.

Liz, Employment Coordinator and Jacob, Project Officer, presented TASTE BITES to the group in weeks 5-7 with Wellways Facilitators Uli, Tania and Margaret. The group had a lively session on interview techniques that was both entertaining and enlightening.

Glen Forrest Gourmet Café

Vivian, Catherine, Toni, Julie (SC)

Proof that age is nothing but a number. BIZLINK client, Toni, recently submitted an application for the aged pension, however, her preference was to secure employment. Job Search Coordinator, Johnny, has provided support through resume updates, interview preparation and interview support, Toni certainly excelled with securing interviews. Johnny met with employer Vivian Whyatt from Glen Forrest Gourmet Café, together with Support Coordinator, Julie and completed all the paperwork for Toni with her new employment working as a Kitchen Assistant. Toni enjoys cooking and knows this job is well suited to her. She enjoys making food and presenting the end product for sale at the Café, everything is home baked using proven recipes. Well done Toni, we are all so happy for you. Toni says “do yourself a favour and come and try her food”.

South Metro TAFE Thornlie

Olivia, Marie (Invoicing Team Leader), David, Julie (SC)

Julie, Support Coordinator, has been working with South Metropolitan Tafe Thornlie (SMTT) for a number of years to increase diversity and inclusion

within their workplace. We congratulate BIZLINK clients, Sharon, independent after being employed for two years, Sharna employed for 18 months and Olivia and David, employed for a month at South Metro TAFE Thornlie (SMTT). Its been a great experience for our clients. They work in administration roles based on their skills and have the opportunity to learn new and exciting things every day. We acknowledge the SMTT team for providing a friendly and welcoming workplace environment. Being employed has changed their lives and each client is valued for what they bring to their team.

Woolworths Kalamunda

Taylor (SC), Georgia (Service Manager), Lynda, Johnny (JSC)

Lynda achieved 6 months employment as a Service Assistant, she has overcome barriers and has pushed herself to be successful. BIZLINK Job Search Coordinator, Johnny, worked with Lynda through these barriers and assisted with applying for an advertised role at Woolworths Kalamunda. Johnny assisted with the application process including approaching the employer directly in person to secure an interview to ensure our client’s individual needs were considered. Feedback from the interviewing Store Manager, Riley, was Lynda was a standout and she was impressed.

Lynda maintains employment through encouragement, motivation and having people around her to support her. This support has been provided by Support Coordinators, Julie and Taylor and staff in the workplace such as Georgia. Thanks again Woolworth Kalamunda, congratulations and well done Lynda, continue to shine.

Tel: 1300 780 789 Post: PO Box 284 Joondalup 6919 ABN: 28 473 809 505 East Perth Melville Cockburn Central Rockingham Joondalup Innaloo Midland

Job-matching | Training | Support | Careers | www.bizlink.asn.au

Notice of Annual General MeetingTUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 20205.00 pm to 7.00 pmTompkins On Swan, Cnr Dunkley Ave and Canning Highway, Alfred Cove Meeting will be followed by presentation of the:

• Tara Doyle Award• BIZLINK Employer of the Year Award

Refreshments will be served and membership applications accepted at the door ($5.50)

Membership of BIZLINK Incorporated AssociationBIZLINK is an Incorporated Association. Membership of the Association is voluntary. Members have voting rights at general meetings so have an opportunity to influence the current practices and future of BIZLINK. Anyone with an interest in BIZLINK may apply to become a member. Membership forms will be available at the AGM or ask for one when you RSVP.

RSVP (limit 100) by Thursday 9 October 2020Email kerry@bizlink.asn.au / call 1300 780 789

Choose BIZLINKBIZLINK is a West Australian, not-for-profit, employment service. BIZLINK is dedicated to securing and supporting inclusive employment in the Perth suburbs and has done so since 1992.

Whether you already have a job or are looking for employment, choose BIZLINK for: A free service

Convenience of 7 offices across Perth

Personalised job-matching

Individual one-to-one assistance

On-site training support and advice

Apprenticeship and Traineeship support

CONTACT

1300 780 789To discuss how BIZLINK could be the BEST provider for you