While the business community has been hit hard by COVID-19, Carrie Garner has just experienced reasons to be hopeful.
The manager of Nova Employment in Springwood has enjoyed a bumper period since June 1, with the office placing nine people in local jobs.
"In a normal time, if we got four placements in a month we'd be very happy. That would be a great success," she said.
Even better for the disability employment service provider, all the jobs have been with Blue Mountains businesses. "It was nice not to have to look in the city or down the train line [to find employers]," said Ms Garner.
Ranging in age from their 20s to 50s, the successful job seekers have found work as kitchen hands, cleaners, factory workers, and in administration.
Business uncertainty following the bushfires and COVID-19 is felt harder in close-knit communities like the Blue Mountains, said Ms Garner.
"They're not just businesses, they're our friends and family... It's really devastating when something happens in the Mountains because they're our community."
But with a longer process involved matching people with a disability with employers, Nova Springwood's strong June result was cause for optimism, she said.
"Even though we are probably still in the middle of COVID, I think we're going to be okay and things will get better quicker than we predicted. It was just so nice to have a good news story. Businesses are actually opening up - and all different industries as well."
For more details contact Carrie Garner on 0427 796 070 or visit www.novaemployment.com.au.
