It’s a statistic that has barely changed in the past 25 years and one that for-purpose organisation VMCH is determined to help shift.
April is Autism Awareness Month, which raises awareness, acceptance and inclusion surrounding autism.
It’s also a time to highlight the need to provide meaningful opportunities for people with autism — including finding and maintaining paid employment.
Cody, 23, is one step closer to realising his dream of working in the IT industry thanks to VMCH’s Employment Pathways program.
He has been working at Puckapunyal Australian Defence Force base with hospitality contractor Ventia, supporting kitchen staff with meal prep and service for the past eight months.
“I struggled to find a job before this,” Cody said.
“I was a bit nervous when I first started, but I’m definitely more comfortable now.
“I like making the soldiers happy and giving them the food that they like. Working with others is definitely a good experience and has helped me build skills.”
Cody is one of seven VMCH clients working at Puckapunyal through Ventia and resource management contractor Veolia.
VMCH senior manager group programs and employment Harley Dalgleish said the organisation, which also runs its social enterprise businesses, had set itself a target to support 100 disabled people to find and sustain meaningful employment by 2025.
“We’re committed not only to supporting people with disability find employment but breaking down barriers for businesses to employ them,“ Mr Dalgleish said.
“We work closely with our clients and their employers to ensure the relationship is working for both of them.
“Often businesses may feel it’s too daunting, or there’s too much red tape to employ a person with a disability, but it’s just not the case.
“By normalising the employment of people with disability in a range of roles and industries, we reduce the anxiety of businesses to embrace this fantastic opportunity.”
Ventia operations manager Tammy Steve said the partnership with VMCH made the process of employing people with disability an easy one.
“We’re a big company and on occasion can be limited on time,” Ms Steve said.
“Having that introduction with VMCH disability support staff to work on employees’ individual needs and plans has been great.
“Ventia is really proud of the work we do in the disability sector, and our partnership with VMCH has been great; their support on site supporting our staff makes our job easier.”
She also mentioned the benefits of employing people with disability extended to fellow employees.
“I’ve seen great personal growth in my team, as well as the people we employ through VMCH,” she said.
“When Cody first arrived, he was very shy and found it hard to interact.
“To see him now, laughing, smiling and confident, is amazing.
“That’s also thanks to our army client, whose staff are great at relationship building and bringing out the best in people.”
Cody’s supervisor, Sharon ‘Macca’ McMenenmin, who has worked at the base for 39 years, said she loved “everything about working with Cody”.
“Because it was his first time in hospitality, he blew me away at how quickly he picked it up,” she said.
“You just tell him something once, and he was right to get on with it.
“His confidence and communication skills have bloomed.
“The whole experience has been very rewarding to witness.”
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