Supported Employment > Windward Industries > Overview of Services Provided
Authorised by Chief Executive Officer
Revised Date: 15 November 2021
As a provider of vocational training, including short term work experience programs, Windward Industries believes vocational training should be a meaningful reflection of the individual’s abilities and interests. Participants will experience a large variety of work related programs to encourage informed decisions about future employment and career planning.
Aim
Provide a series of programs, responding to the vocational needs/interests and abilities of the employees.
Objectives
Whilst receiving training at employment sites, each participant will develop skills for employment and learn appropriate work and social behaviours through interaction with co-workers.
Participants will gain experience in variety of work settings.
An Employment Assistance Plan, EAP, is developed between the employee and staff to ascertain vocational goals/interests over the next twelve months. The plan will also provide timelines and information and information work environments listed in the plan. A review of the work experience will take place to determine future options.
Occupational Health & Safety
Training in Occupational Health and Safety, OHS, is provided continuously and all employees are to attend Tool Box meeting. Employees are expected to participate in work shop safety checks and monthly OH&S meetings. The employee’s OH&S representative is selected via a ballot.
Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, will be provided as deemed appropriate and occupational health and safety matters strictly adhered to.
Method
Prospective employees interested in the program must follow these steps:
1. Applications
− Positions are advertised and applied for.
− A verbal request is made to Key worker or manager. The applicant is asked to fill in an application form.
2. Interview
Applicant to meet with manager and work experience support worker.
The applicants’ carer/advocate may attend at the invitation of the applicant.
The interview will discuss the function and process of the vocational training program. Expectations from both parties need to be clarified.
3. Process Application
A check of any work history, previous placement etc. may be undertaken by the manager to confirm suitability.
Work Experience
An investigation of available placements will be undertaken by the work experience support worker. The applicant will be kept informed of all outcomes. If no placements are currently available the applicant will be placed on a waiting list. Once a suitable placement is found the process recommences as per below.
4. Medical
Medicals are not a requirement for work experience; however we reserve the ability to request the undertaking of one.
5. Negotiating Work Site
The work experience support worker will negotiate a work site as per the participant’s request.
6. Letter of Notification
The support worker will write to the applicant detailing the work type and work conditions as negotiated with the work-site supervisor. Details will include time-lines, hours of work, duties, breaks, responsibilities (both parties), dress, start and finish date, transport, review dates. An Induction sheet from the site will be attached; if available.
7. Induction
An induction to the site and duties etc. will be held, prior to commencing Work experience placement (a carer/advocate may attend at invitation of participant).
8. 1st Review or full time 5 days
A review of the placement will be held within 2 weeks of commencing. The review will involve work experience support worker, support worker from the site or site manager / employer, carer/advocate (at participant’s invitation).
The review will explore the appropriateness of the placement and address any matters related to the placement.
9. 2nd Review: Optional or for those working under full time hours
The second review will be held mid way through the placement and may take place as a phone conference.
Final Review / Closure:
The final review will take place in the last week of the placement. It will be a ‘face to face’ meeting of the parties involved. A written assessment by the work experience site support staff will be available for discussion
The review meeting will explore the “where to from here” options. Employment Assistance Program Plans (EAP) recommendations will be made.
10. Certificate
All applicants will be provided with a certificate of completion.
11. General Information
•Prospective employees are paid an amount per day as both an incentive and to ensure inclusion in work cover insurance for the first six weeks after commencing full/part time employment.
•Employees who are proceeding beyond the probationary period are receiving an hourly rate of pay not exceeding 30% of the current Award rate until assessed by the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service using the current Industrial Wage Assessment Tool
•Some employment programs may also lead to transitional programs. Arrangements, such as transitional programs will be discussed at the program review. Employees have got the option to access both employment sites, Seawinds Nursery or/and Windward if they wish to do so.
•IEP meetings for people currently involved in Kyeema programs will be used to establish interest and type of work for work experience. Referrals may be made for work experience as a result of IPP meeting. The application process remains the same.
•Participants will be encouraged in decision making, and acceptance and tolerance towards co-workers and rights of others to make choices: pre-employment social skills training.
•Part time work experience options will be considered. Full day is the desired outcome – allowing better understanding of commitment and stamina required for employment.
Other Factors to consider
•Environmental (work site and social) factors must be considered when preparing a work experience plan and during reviews. Difficulties experienced by participants may be ‘environmental’ rather than task specific.
•The participant’s history e.g. no experience / understanding of ‘work’ must be taken into account when developing IEP’s.
•Ergonomics (the location of objects, work situation, set up etc) workstation location (windows, doors, fellow workers, distractions etc.), job rotation (boredom), are matters that may influence a work experience outcome.
Our Contracts
•Collating of magazines and booklets
•Assembling/Dismantling tasks
•Processing Tasks e.g. Repacking of products, Waste Minimization, Cutting up and packing of rags,
•Cleaning of respirators, Racal helmets, used by PA operators and contractors,
•Quality control of all assorted gloves used on site to enable recycling process
•Laundry service to wash selected items used on site.