WESTERN District Employment Access has helped a record number of people into jobs after achieving massive growth during the past financial year.
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The Warrnambool-based disability and general employment agency revealed more than 1500 clients were placed into jobs and more than 900 clients in disability employment services found work – a 50 per cent increase on the previous year.
WDEA made a total income of $21.1 million during 2014-15 – an annual increase of more than $3.3 million.
The reported $1,019,289 surplus will help add to its 14 offices, with more than 350 staff now employed across the state, including sites at Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Mildura, Swan Hill, Horsham, and Mount Gambier in South Australia.
Employment director Brett Orr said WDEA’s unprecedented growth was achieved mainly on the back of new business in disability services and an expanded jobactive service.
Mr Orr said the offer of new business followed a proven record of high performance.
“For an agency of our size to be so successful is a monumental achievement,” Mr Orr said.
Chief executive Mick White said WDEA’s success story continued to expand and achieve excellent results across all sites by placing people into sustainable employment.
At Wednesday’s annual meeting Mr White said the organisation’s high performance across all sites had laid the foundation for the success and growth.
He said WDEA’s enterprise activities continued to provide a safe and friendly work environment for people with disabilities, while its community program provided a range of activities to assist clients to participate in their local community.
During the financial year WDEA retained all its existing business in jobactive services, while successfully tendering for new and increased business in Mildura, Swan Hill, Bendigo and Ballarat.
New disability employment services was gained in Bendigo, Shepparton, Mount Gambier and Swan Hill along with increases in Ballarat, Colac and Warrnambool.
Under new jobactive contracts, WDEA experienced a 114 per cent increase in client numbers to 7500 people.
WDEA remains in the top five per cent of Australia’s disability employment services and consistently achieved four star ratings for employment services when the majority of providers remain in the three-star category. The agency was launched in 1989 with three Warrnambool employees before expanding.
