This month, Troocoo proudly co-hosted Brisbane’s first Inclusive Employment Movement (IEM) breakfast series.
Along with representatives from IEM co-founders LeapIn!, Endeavour Foundation, and Social Scaffolding, 30 people across diverse sectors including education, child care, disability services, banking, insurance, and recruitment came together to talk about how to create more inclusive workplaces. Organisations such as UnitingCare QLD, QSuper, QBCC, PRA Group, Auto & General, RSL Queensland, Energy Queensland, Seqwater, and Safe Places for Children joined the conversation.
The audience heard from people with a disability who are excelling in their careers, including long-term Endeavour Foundation employee Alex Baker and Leap in! software engineer Declan Hart.
Alex, who is part of the services design team that looks after Endeavour Foundation’s industry learning and lifestyle service, encouraged businesses to give people with a disability a chance.
“Everyone has a talent, everyone has an ability, everyone has a place in the open workforce. These people have skills they can offer your business whether it is typing up a few letters or solving complex problems,” Alex said.
Declan, who is a key member of the team that built the Leap in! app invited people with diverse abilities to think about the type of contribution they wanted to make.
“We have to think a little differently about how we approach employers and the job application process by asking ourselves what can I bring to a role? How can I bring something unique to this company? Instead of putting the disability up front, highlight your different abilities and bring them up front,” he said.
Founder of Brisbane tech company @GeoSynergy, Geoff Osborn shared how continued growth has been fuelled by the deliberate skills-based recruitment of remote-working developers living with autism.
There is overwhelming evidence that people with diverse abilities want to work, are investing in qualifications and make loyal employees who bring innovative solutions and different perspectives to their roles.
But people with diverse abilities remain massively underrepresented in the workforce which is why the #brisbane #inclusiveemployment was born – to smash misconceptions, break down barriers, and support employers to actively pursue inclusiveness.
Get in touch to find out more or get the free Inclusive Employment ebook at https://www.leapin.com.au/inclusive-employment/
If you would like to attend the next Inclusive Employment breakfast series event on 24 March, please contactorla.kelly@troocoo.com
#inclusiveemploymentbreakfast