APM

Is there a positive employee or colleague who lights up your workplace? It’s a good time of year to give them some recognition. One person we met this year who shines in their workplace is Quaid. Coming to APM Employment Services in Benalla, Quaid was struggling to find a secure job while managing his mental health and a chronic shoulder injury. Joining the Disability Employment Services program, and with the support of his dedicated employment consultant Ben, Quaid was able to find his way to a job related to his passion for cars. Quaid committed himself to working with Ben through the program to become a bright prospect for the right employer. And with growing confidence, he soon found a position that he could unlock his potential. After Ben organised a wage subsidy for his employer, help with his commute and a new pair of work boots, it was down to Quaid to prove himself. And it didn’t take long for him to impress his new workplace and be offered a permanent place in the team. Read more about how Quaid went from unemployment to star employee here: https://lnkd.in/g4Md4Xka #GoodNews #Postivity #Employment #MentalHealth #DisabilityInclusion

This week our APM Futures team in Devonport had the privilege of hosting the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Minister Bill Shorten, and Tasmanian Senator Anne Urquhart. This special event included representatives from Speak Out Advocacy, participants of NDIS Employment Supports delivered by the APM Futures team, and APM staff. The highlight of the meeting was the incredible engagement from our participants. They had the unique opportunity to meet directly with Minister Shorten and Senator Urquhart, ask their pressing questions, and share their personal experiences of living with disability and the NDIS. Their voices and stories were at the heart of the discussions, providing invaluable insights into the real-world impact of disability services. The session was filled with open and honest conversations, focusing on the future of the NDIS and how it can better serve the needs of people with disability. It was truly inspiring to see our participants actively contributing to these important discussions. A big thank you to Minister Shorten and Senator Urquhart for their time and dedication to improving disability services. We also extend our gratitude to all our participants for their valuable contributions. #NDIS #DisabilitySupport #EmploymentServices #APMFutures #CommunityEngagement Pictured: Minister Shorten with APM Futures staff Sarah Marshall and Nicole Bates Minister Shorten with participant Jaylum Minister Shorten with participant Kobi Minister Shorten with participant Ebony

How many challenges have you overcome this year? We’ve been lucky enough to meet thousands of people in 2024 who have successfully overcome obstacles to achieve or progress in their goals. Blake’s story is an example of how dedicated and finding the right support can make a world of difference to achieving your goals. Blake came to our APM Employment Services team looking for help to get a secure job. He was having difficulty finding the right employer and opportunities that matched his interests and experience. And as an Autistic person he was eligible for support through Disability Employment Services. Working through the program, Blake was able to: • progress in his goal of gaining his driver’s licence • learn new skills and complete training courses • prepare for interviews in jobs he wanted to do • get support when he started work to learn and grow in his new job We’re thrilled to share stories like Blake’s and hugely grateful for all our team members who give the personal support that really make a difference in a person’s success. https://lnkd.in/gdidtbKR Read more about Blake’s journey and other good news stories at apm.net.au/des #GoodNews #Careers #DisabilityInclusion #Autism #EnablingBetterLives

Does your workplace have a character as loveable as Grainger? A loyal companion to Ben, the guide dog is a friend to everyone he meets and a popular member of the team at Ben’s work. The pair recently featured in the news for Ben’s success in gaining the perfect job while managing challenges with his vision impairment. We first met Ben when he needed support looking for a job. Joining Disability Employment Services our team was able to work with Ben to find the right type of job in the right setting for both Ben and Grainger to be valuable. And when Ben found the role with Clarence Valley Council, we were able to help him access the unique workplace modifications he needed to perform the job at his best. Today we’re delighted to share this video which shows the impact this support, along with Ben’s determination to succeed, had on his life and his wellbeing… https://lnkd.in/gsYcuqcs #DisabilityInclusion #Blindness #AssistiveTechnology #WorkplaceModifications #GuideDogs #GoodNews #RealStories

We're incredibly proud of this new series with Ellie Cole and team members from across APM sharing their personal experiences of life with disability. Watch previews of the powerful conversations here: https://lnkd.in/gPyTdnjd #RealPeople #RealStories #DisabilityExperience #DisabilityInclusion

We’ve loved seeing APM Ambassador Ellie Cole back on our screens presenting on The Today Show this week! Ellie's had a busy year both in front of and behind the camera. And we’ve been lucky enough to have Ellie join us in supporting some incredible community events to champion disability inclusion. This includes our recent partnership with Hockey Australia and Hockey WA in Perth for the Hockey For All Clinic. The event saw people and families of all abilities join professional hockey stars and coaches for a try at the sport. Ellie joined us for the event and met with some of the people taking part who were thrilled to have a Paralympic legend tackle the sport with them. Here’s a video Ellie made of her time at the clinic. A huge thank you to everyone who made the day a success! #DisabilityInclusion #EllieCole #DisabilitySport #Community #EnablingBetterLives

Do you know an inclusive employer? Recently we shared some highlights of people who had great success in overcoming multiple challenges to achieve their employment goals. When it comes to helping people with disability, injury, or health conditions, find secure employment, the support of inclusive employers is vital. We’d like to say a huge thank you to the thousands of employers we have worked with throughout 2024 to provide new opportunities to valuable employees. And in this new video we hear more from a handful of those employers we met this year on how they found hiring people with disability. They didn’t just fill a gap in their workforce and enjoy financial benefits – they provided a life-changing opportunity that has helped their businesses thrive. And if you need people to join your team, you’ve still got time to find a great employee before the end of the year. Reach out to your local APM Employment Services team and ask about the benefits of hiring people through the Disability Employment Services program. #EmploymentMatters #DisabilityInclusion #Careers #Hiring #EnablingBetterLives

What motivates you to achieve your goals? When Chris came to APM Employment Services for help to get his life back on track, his goal was clear – to be a good dad and provide for his daughter. Chris’ mental health condition meant he was able to join the Disability Employment Services program and get personalised support to find a good job. But finding work was only part of the mission for Chris and his APM Employment Consultant Fran. They knew it had to be a job that Chris could feel confident, secure and thrive in while managing his mental health. Together they found a role that suited the fishing enthusiast well and enabled him to succeed in finding a path to a brighter future. Find out how they did it, and learn more about our team’s approach to supporting people with a disability, injury, or health condition here… https://lnkd.in/gvkyAduH #LifeGoals #GoodNews #DisabilityInclusion #EmploymentServices #EnablingBetterLives

“I get to be creative…” What defines you? Our APM Employment Services team members understand there’s more to a person than a disability, injury, or health condition. And when they come to us for support, we listen to them and support them to achieve their goals and choose what defines them. Following International Day of People with Disability this month, we’re sharing some insights from people we met this year who we supported through Disability Employment Services. Today Sean talks about what he loves about his job after support from the program… Watch more from Sean and the challenges he overcame to achieve his goals at https://lnkd.in/gs-9xSg7 #IDPWD #DisabilityInclusion #Goals #ChooseWhatDefinesYou

We’re thrilled to see two APM participants recognised for their incredible hard work and dedication at this week’s National Employment Services Association Awards. Both Holly-May and Quinn were finalists in the Achiever of the Year Award at the annual event which recognises participants of employment programs who have overcome extraordinary disadvantage to achieve employment. Holly-May and Quinn’s journeys were very different, but they both had a drive to turn things around – not just for themselves, but to support the people they love. We were delighted to see both of them receive the recognition they deserve at a national level at the awards ceremony. Receiving his certificate, Quinn said it was the first framed award he has ever received. With both Quinn and Holly-May’s hard work and dedication we see many more successes for both of them in the future. Learn more about how they achieved employment success with APM Employment Services on our website: https://lnkd.in/gK3EZHxV #NESA #Awards #Recognition #Success #GoodNews #EmploymentMatters