2 December

Enable NZ wins 2004 mainstream employer award

State Services Minister Trevor Mallard today announced that Enable New Zealand Palmerston North is the winner of the 2004 Mainstream Employer of the Year Award.

The awards are presented annually in recognition of employers who have supported employment, training and career development opportunities for people with significant disabilities.

Trevor Mallard said the Mainstream Programme operates in line with United Nations’ objectives for the employment of people with disabilities, as well as the Government’s own Disability Strategy goals.

”The State Services Commission has provided the Mainstream Programme as a first step on the career ladder for hundreds of people with significant disabilities, over many years.

“Mainstream bridges the chasm that is long term unemployment, for those people with significant disabilities who are unable to gain employment on merit.
”This scheme is unique. Nowhere else in the world does there exist a programme which deliberately seeks to assist those most disadvantaged by significant disability that is provided by, and for, the state sector. Mainstream currently supports over 200 participants working in State sector positions throughout New Zealand.”

”Enable New Zealand have gone the extra mile to provide a supported employment situation for a woman with significant disability issues,” Trevor Mallard said.

Enable New Zealand employee nominee Julie Cravino said “my employer supports training and development of staff with disabilities, encouraging us to develop, and aspire to be team leaders of the future. It is one thing to hire people with disabilities, but quite another to urge those same staff to train for management.”

The runner-up for this year’s Employer of the Year award was ACC Palmerston North. Merit awards were awarded to Cosgrove School, Papakura, and Work and Income, Whangarei at the ceremony held in the Beehive today.

ENDS

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