Serco at Fiona Stanley Hospital named BIZLINK employer of the year

Serco’s Fiona Stanley Hospital team has been named ‘Employer of the Year’ by Perth disability employment service provider BIZLINK.

The BIZLINK employer of the year is awarded to an organisation that has demonstrated outstanding support of inclusive employment for people with a disability.

Brian Park, Managing Director of BIZLINK said: “On behalf of the Board and staff of BIZLINK and the WA community, I would like to thank Serco’s team for the commitment they have demonstrated to creating an inclusive workplace that supports equal employment opportunities.

“Serco at Fiona Stanley Hospital has been in partnership with BIZLINK since April 2014 and over this time, has employed 10 people through our organisation with a variety of abilities. Serco’s team is very supportive and flexible, working in partnership with our coordinators to match the person to the job and ensure appropriate supports are in place.

“They have also encouraged workers to career develop in other roles to enhance their skills and long-term career prospects.

“Serco employs our clients across three departments of food, cleaning and internal logistics and they have other areas that we can job-match clients to. They have been open to high and low support and have proven retention of existing clients.

“It is evident that Serco views recruitment via BIZLINK as a long-term partnership. We look forward to supporting more people with disabilities to secure careers within Fiona Stanley Hospital through employment with Serco.”

One of Serco’s Fiona Stanley Hospital employees, Sarah Wardle (pictured), attended the recent BIZLINK event to accept the award with other members of the hospital team. Sarah is a domestic assistant responsible for the main entrances of the hospital, where she works in a part-time job share with another BIZLINK client.

Speaking of her experience in securing employment at the hospital, Sarah said:

“About 4 years ago I heard about Fiona Stanley Hospital – I was really interested because it is close to home. And now the really good news – I have been working at Fiona Stanley Hospital for more than a year. I started by making up kits for induction training. Now I am part of the cleaning team."

"I look after the main entrance area and work independently. I also help people with directions. I really enjoy this work.

“I travel to the hospital myself – I catch 2 buses and a train. I work 3 half days. It’s not easy for people with disabilities to get a job but we can do it. We just need a chance. We need a job based on what we can do. As a Count Me In Ambassador I want to tell people that we can develop into good workers. I want to promote jobs for people with disabilities. I would like employers to understand that we can all do something.”