New beginnings for Michael

20 September 2022

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• OCC Enterprises
• OCC Story - My Work

In 2021/2, OCC Enterprises supported the transition of three supported employees into open employment.   

Michael is one such employee, who is currently working at ACE Contractors Group, a civil construction company servicing Victoria. Michael is undertaking administrative duties at the company’s Nunawading office: scanning, shredding, filing.  He also assists with garden maintenance when he has time. 

OCCE was approached by ACE Project Manager, Shane Jones, in 2021, who was looking to support a person with disability to move into mainstream employment. ACE Contractors Group’s mission is to provide people opportunities that may not usually have them, to find work in a stable and supportive workforce.  They currently employ 330 staff from 40 different countries and are always looking for opportunities to provide work for vulnerable people within the community. 

Shane says Michael is thriving in the role. His original one day per week shift grew to two in order to handle a backlog of work, which he completed quicker than expected. “He is passionate, arrives on time, gets along with everyone and works hard.  He is so efficient; we have to find more work to keep up with him,” says Shane. 

Michael says he loves the work he does at ACE. “I enjoy scanning and document management – it’s more my style of things to do,” he says. “Everyone is hands on and I’m keeping busy doing different things, which means I’m not always sitting down, and I don’t get bored.” 

After moving from the packing team at OCCE into document management and now using the skills he has learnt in open employment, Michael is one step closer to his ultimate work goal: working in IT and designing web pages. 

Michael continues to receive supports from OCC Enterprise, to assist him to become more confident and independent in his role.

Shane can see that Michael’s independence and confidence has grown over time. “He is happy to work independently and just get on with the job,” says Shane. Michael agrees: “I don’t need assistance. I can do things by myself,” he says. 

Michael is also grateful for the support he has received from OCC Enterprises: “OCCE has helped me to find and keep my job,” he says. “Full credit to the team and Katrina (Document Management trainer) for her support.” 

The support network that Michael now has in place will put him in good stead to work towards his employment goals. 

We wish Michael all the best.