Josh Woolley and Joshua Pospisil love working at Springwood Sports Club, growing in confidence day by day, as they settle into their roles as kitchenhands.
The club hired Josh a year ago and Joshua nine months later, as part of Nova Employment’s annual 100 jobs in 100 days campaign.
“The people I work with are really nice people, very easy going and they can have a joke,” Mr Woolley said.
“It’s good having your own money. It makes you feel fulfilled [having a job],” Mr Pospisil added.
Both young men are currently working in the kitchen, but Mr Woolley is keen to further his skills and train behind the bar.
The club’s general manager Brett Clarke says that’s all possible.
“We’re a club that is willing to look at diversity and giving them a go and the training to achieve that,” he said.
The sports club’s executive chef Tim Glasheen said the duo were an important part of the kitchenhand crew and he’d noticed them become more chatty and sociable as they grew comfortable in the working environment.
Nova launched its 2018 100 jobs in 100 days campaign in Springwood on September 12, encouraging businesses to take on new employees.
Guest speaker, Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle addressed the function, encouraging businesses to take part in the program.
It’s good having your own money. It makes you feel fulfilled.
- Joshua Pospisil
“For those people considering continuing support of Nova, it’s something that’s heart-warming as well as practical support,” Ms Doyle said.
“There’s nothing more exciting than when I run into fabulous people in the community. For example, the fabulous Joshua Elston who is learning hospitality and goes to a Tafe course, a cafe, and can get on the train by himself. He tells me about the joy of the experience and offers me a coffee.”
She also spoke of Freya, a young woman with Down syndrome, who attends her office weekly to help with administration.
“She puts the stamps on envelopes and gets cranky if the staff have done it already,” Ms Doyle said.
Nova’s Katoomba office manager Lyn White encouraged businesses to get on board.
“If you go with us, you will get a brilliant worker that you want to keep,” she said.
Nova is a supported employment program that offers specialist job-seeking help. It works exclusively with people who have a disability or significant barriers to finding a job.
Interested businesses can contact Nova Employment’s Katoomba office on 4787 6600 or the Springwood office on 4752 3000.