On Thursday 11th April, atWork Australia held their 2024 South Australian Employer Awards at the Sunnybrae Estate in Adelaide. The event brought together a range of diverse and like-minded employers across multiple industries to recognise and celebrate their contributions to create a more inclusive workforce, for our clients to thrive and achieve their employment goals. Event MC and atWork Australia Brand Ambassador, Shaun Pianta states “The event was a great opportunity to highlight all the amazing work that our employer partners do in making diverse and inclusive workplaces, for our clients”.
The event was a great opportunity to celebrate all the employers in attendance, and the commitment they are making to build, and foster a diverse workforce.
There were four awards in total. The first, Excellence in Creating Diverse Opportunities. This award honours an employer that is striving for a workforce that is reflective of the community we serve, that embraces the individual skills, perspectives, and experiences that all employees bring to the workplace. The very deserving winner of this award was Rory’s School Lunches. Rory’s School Lunches demonstrate a strong commitment to accommodating our clients from across both contracts who face significant barriers to employment. This support includes supporting and catering to our clients who have caring responsibilities.
Congratulations to Pepper’s Car Wash and Happy Haven who were finalists in the category.
Next on the agenda was the Regional Employer Award. This award recognises a business who operates outside of metropolitan areas, providing opportunities to enable atWork Australia clients to thrive and sustain a career pathway. The winner was Australian Grain Export. They have been an exceptional employer to work with and continue to provide ongoing support for atWork Australia clients, before and during employment. Their steadfast support for our clients has not only fostered a positive working environment but also attracted outstanding employees to their organisation.
Congratulations to Seven Point Pork and Samex who were finalists in the category.
The event provided an opportunity to celebrate atWork Australia’s new employer partnerships. The Emerging Employer Award honours a first year Employer Partnership that has successfully assisted atWork Australia clients living with a barrier into long term employment. The winner was Lifestyle Plus Group. After meeting Lifestyle Plus Group at a local expo, the connection swiftly evolved into a strong partnership between atWork Australia and Lifestyle Plus Group. The opportunities presented by Lifestyle Plus Group allow our clients, who have backgrounds in the social health sector, to leverage their skills in assisting vulnerable individuals.
Congratulations to Dunbar and TSA Group who were finalists in the category.
To finish off the awards ceremony, the Champion employer was crowned! The Champion Employer Award recognises an employer who demonstrates excellence and high achievement in providing employment opportunities to Australians living with a disability, injury, health condition or disadvantage. The winner of atWork Australia’s 2024 Champion Employer Award was SAFCOL. SAFCOL has become a pivotal employer in 2023. Bridging the gap between our clients and SAFCOL by implementing a tailored approach. We identified not only SAFCOL skill & labour shortage needs but also pinpointed job and industry specific training requirements. By understanding the unique demands of SAFCOL, we were able to develop a targeted internal pre-employment program that equipped our clients with the skills necessary to meet those demands effectively. Due to the well-received feedback by SAFCOL, we have been given the opportunity to continue our Pre-employment Program in 2024. You can hear about our clients experience with the program, here.
Congratulations to Inghams and OTR who were finalists in the category.
Although only a handful of employers can walk away as winners, all of atWork Australia’s employer partners throughout South Australia should be recognised and celebrated for their commitment to creating a more inclusive workplace, providing opportunities to those people who might otherwise be looked over due to their barrier to employment.
The opportunities that are provided by atWork Australia’s employer partners are more than just a job, it’s a life changing opportunity, and a step closer to creating a more inclusive community and country. Where we all have an equal opportunity to participate and contribute to the workplace.
Congratulations to all our winners and finalists for 2024!