WHILE FINDING employment can be a difficult task when entering the workforce, spare a thought for those living with a disability who find it near impossible to get their foot in the door and to feel valued in the workplace.
Fortunately, companies such as Synergy Group based at Tweed Heads South are providing an innovative platform for those living with a disability to join a committed team and feel valued.
The Weekly editor Jonathon Howard recently took a tour of Synergy Group factory at 6 Parkside Drive where more than 50 employees have developed lasting relationships in a dynamic working environment that values individual efforts and recognises them as a team.
Synergy Group’s warehouse is a hive of activity with staff busy receiving new stock and the packing departments hard at work packing thousands of units per day.
Synergy Group is part of Challenge Tweed Incorporated an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) and is supported by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The group provides residents with a disability the opportunity to create a fulfilling employment career in manufacturing and processing.
There are several rooms spread through the warehouse with packing of products and receiving new stock taking place all day.
And to make it accommodating for the disabled workers, the factory may incorporate sturdy warehouse bins and similar items, so that these don’t break easily in case of fall.
The employees are a delight welcoming new people into the team and eager to talk about their experiences at Synergy Group through the friendships and positive working environment.
The Weekly met with Synergy Group acting general manager Sarah Green who speaks highly of the group’s employees and sees a bright future ahead for the company.
“Synergy Group prides itself on the quality service we provide to all in involved,” she said.
“We offer adults with a lifelong disability employment opportunities and provide ongoing support, training and career development.
Ms Green said the team get to work with exciting companies that require manual labour skills to develop their products which are sold around the nation and some are also exported.
The Weekly met with several employees including Tabatha Sercombe who has worked for Synergy Group for the past 11 years.
Tabatha said she loves working in the Synergy Group environment and has learnt a lot during the past decade.
“It’s a great environment to work, it’s like a family network,” she said.
Tabatha said the team enjoy regular visits from school students, who are often on placement or gaining work experience.
Ms Green said students visit to gain vital work experience under the school’s special needs units and they will soon be taking TAFE student placements.
“We aim to create a pathway to employment for these students as there are not many employment options for them in the community,” she said.
“Our TAFE Students are also starting up with our first student joining us in the next few weeks.”
A fully accredited trainer, Synergy Group also provide a platform for support workers to gain valuable work experience and pathways to employment.
Ms Green said the area in need of addressing at Synergy Group was for more volunteers to assist in training and support roles.
“We already have such a great team of volunteers who support our dedicated employees,” she said.
“But we’re always appealing for more local volunteers to assist in support roles and help our employees to find their feet.”
If you would like to give back to the community and have a few hours free every week, Synergy Group would love to hear from you.
To find out more contact Synergy Group on (07) 5523 4579 or visit their warehouse at 4/6 Parkside Drive, Tweed Heads South.
