For
Business | Employment Opportunities
Employment
Services
Oakleigh Centre Industries offers supported employment opportunities to
people with disabilities. OCI operates in a variety of settings with training
and support, maximising the employees potential and choice. The variety
of work enables the employees to participate in a meaningful work environment
at their own pace.
Main
factory
- packaging
- shrink wrapping
- skin packing
- blister packing
- labelling
- collating
- small assembly
- miscellaneous
Work
Station
- small assembly
- packing and labelling
- reinforces independence
through, integration and social interaction with employees in a commercial
setting
- travel to and from
work
- improved self
esteem, through feelings of being seen as a valued member of the community
Opportunity
Shops
- community access
- social skills
- money skills
- independence
Work Trials
Oakleigh Centre Industries offer a work trial period before starting work
on a permanent basis; time is negotiated depending on the needs of the
prospective employee and whether they prefer part or full time. During
this trial period the individual is able to try different areas of work,get
to know the other employees, be assessed and find the appropriate area
to start with training.
Work Experience
Oakleigh Centre Industries offer work experience programs to students
referred to us through the Tafe system, Special Schools, The Department
of Human Services, other agencies and family members. The concept of this
program is to introduce students to a structured workday – to learn
about work ethics and social interaction and just get a general idea of
what it is like to be in the work force. The staff will support and train
the students during their time of work experience and an assessment of
the skills level and the students options will be discussed at the end
of the placement.
OCI also offers work
experience at one of our work-stations (an integrated employment option)
providing the same opportunities as the main factory but with a small
group, it is located at Sandringham. There is yet another option of training
in one of our two Opportunity Shops
Oakleigh Centre Industries
will negotiate both full-time and part time employment in all of those
locations.
- The aim of the
work experience:
- Introduce the concept
of work ethics to people with a disability
- Introduce vocational
opportunities to people with a disability
- Equip them with
new skills (training, work skills)
- Offer assistance
and support with vocational options
- Assess their skill
level and needs
- Refer to open
employment agencies where appropriate
- Offer ongoing
employment where appropriate
Benefits for the student:
- Boosts self-esteem,
self worth and confidence
- Ensures a ‘normal
rhythm of the day’
- Empowers the person
- Individuals are
seen as valued members of the community
- Broadens life
experiences
- Encourages and
teaches responsibility
- Utilises skills
that students have learned at school / training centres
- Important part
of adult life (transition from school to work)
- Teaches social
skills
- Acquire new skills/job
knowledge
Employer responsibilities:
- Documents –
contracts, training programs, agreements.
- Provide relevant
and adequate information in relation to Health and Safety issues.
- Liaison with outside
agencies, Department of Human Services
- Ensure confidentiality
in all matters relating to the employee
- Provide a “duty
of care”
- Monitor (performance
progress etc)
- Evaluation (assessment).
- Conditions ensure
all employees have the same entitlements as other members of the community.
Employee responsibilities:
- Punctual
- Follow instructions
- Adhere to the
policies and procedures of Oakleigh Centre Industries
- Familiarise themselves
with the Employee Handbook
- Is keen to work
- Willing to participate
in an assessment procedure
Training objectives
- Training will be
provided at the individual’s skill level. (tasks will be broken
down to accommodate the employee’s abilities).
- Frequent assessment
of employees’ progress.
- Opportunity for
adding to skills, to prepare for promotion.
- Assessment will
be conducted to show employees achievements and strengths.
 Work
ethics
A very important and significant part of our work experience program is
the teaching and training of work ethics. Quite often a hurdle that may
face people with an intellectual disability in obtaining employment is
the lack of education or understanding in relation to work ethics. For
any one of us to maintain a job we need to abide by certain rules, standards
and values that our employer sets out for us. Things such as punctuality,
team work, following instructions and adhering to the appropriate meal
breaks etc. are all very important, in ensuring the maintenance of a job.
Training in these areas is given by use of every day interactions, prompting
and role modeling.
Reliability
Willingness to learn, be part of the assessment process and adhere to
the OH&S rules.
Ph: (03) 9575 4200
Fax: (03) 9575 4244
Email: oci@oakleighcentre.org
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