Wollongong Council's commitment to creating inclusive employment opportunities has brought about a fresh partnership with local community organisation Greenacres, whose staff will carry out essential maintenance of various parks and public spaces around our city.
Greenacres is a leading Wollongong-based disability service provider that aims to source and provide employment and career opportunities that allow people with a disability to pursue life and career goals.
It's a vision Council shares through our Diversity and Inclusion Access Plan that aims to generate positive social outcomes, including employment opportunities for people that may otherwise face barriers to entering the workforce.
"We're proud to be a large employer of local people in our region, with the vast majority of our more than 1800 employees living working in our local government area," Wollongong Council General Manager Greg Doyle said.
"Providing that opportunity is a core mission of Council and it's one that extends to the local businesses and suppliers that we partner with. Greenacres is a wonderful organisation and it's great to be able to share in its mission of providing inclusive employment opportunities, while ensuring vital maintenance of our parks and public spaces is capably carried out.
"The Wollongong community is a famously diverse one and we have a responsibility at Council to ensure that that diversity is reflected, not only in our own workforce, but extends to our partnerships with businesses and organisations we work with."
The partnership sees Greenacres employees carry out maintenance works and develop professional skills as an introduction to the workforce and as a pathway to longer term employment.
"Our partnership with Wollongong City Council represents a powerful step toward inclusive employment, providing people with disability the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the maintenance of public spaces," Greenacres Head of Marketing and Business Development Aleisha Brooke-Smith said.
"This initiative highlights the value of collaboration between community organisations and local councils, fostering a more inclusive and vibrant community. It also serves as a stepping stone for our supported employees, helping them gain the skills and experience needed to transition into open employment."
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said Council will continue to seek mutually beneficial partnerships with local organisations.
"We are proud of the various partnerships we have with local social enterprise groups and will continue to explore opportunities for these to expand," Cr Brown said.
"Sourcing locally has obvious economic benefits, but as shown by our partnership with Greenacres, it also helps create an inclusive, connected business community that everyone can feel a part of."
