01-Jul-2009

Alison's Back on Track

Article published in Richmond River Express Examiner 24th June 2009





ALISON Gray wasn't sure she would ever work again after a depressive anxiety disorder led to a breakdown.

Then she was introduced to ON-Q Human Resources.

She is now working part-time in a job she adores at Lenard's in Casino and is completing a Certificate II Retail Traineeship.

Alison believes it was the untiring support, help and advice she received from ON-Q that helped her win the traineeship and get her life back on track.

"The staff at ON-Q are wonderful - they are absolutely amazing," Alison said.

"They did everything possible to help me get a job - they even drove me to interviews."  "Even now, they are continuing to support me - they come down and visit me at work to see how everything is going, and if I need anything."

Owner of Lenard's Casino, Tony Sanna, is also full of praise for ON-Q.  "I wasn't really looking for anyone when ON-Q approached me about Alison," he said.

"We gave her a three-day trial and she was so good we employed her straight away."

"She has been a real asset to us.  Not only does she promote our business, but she has increased sales."

Mr Sanna said ON-Q handled most details of Alison's employment, making the process for him extremely easy and trouble free.

"Everything has gone really smoothly for me and the staff from ON-Q are coming by regularly to see how things are going," he said.

"It's worked really well for both of us."

How ON-Q Helps to Reduce the Unemployment Queue

Article published in the Richmond River Express Examiner 24th June 2009.

For 20 years, ON-Q Human Resources has been helping Northern Rivers people with disabilities secure meaningful jobs in the workforce.

These days the comunity-based not-for-profit employment service provider has expanded its focus and now also helps people recovering from an injury or trauma get back into work.

The organisation has offices located in Casino, Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay, Murwillumbah, South Tweed Heads and the Gold Coast and offers four separate and specialised employment programs:  Real Ability, Get Ready, Start Smart and Reconnect.

The Real Ability program has been operating since 1988 and provides specialist assistance to job seekers who have a disability and who require on-going support to find and maintain employment.

It is an 'open employment' program, with ON-Q providing the support necessary to get people real jobs, for real wages, in the community.

The Get Ready program's main aim is to support school leavers with a disability to develop a range of skills that will ensure a smooth transition from school to the workforce.

Start Smart aims to get young people into Australian Apprenticeships, either as trainees or apprentices.

ON-Q's Start Smart specialises in school-based traineeships, allowing students to complete a senior certificate/HSC while undertaking both training and paid work.

While Start Smart is aimed at any one who would like an Australian Apprenticeship, ON-Q specialise in helping indigenous people and people who have a disability into traineeships and apprenticeships.

ON-Q's Reconnect program helps people who have difficulty returning to work because of an injury, illness or disability, find and keep a job.  The program combines vocational rehabilitation services with employment assistance.

Managing Director of ON-Q, Peter Tanner, who has been with the organisation from the beginning, says the difference between ON-Q and other employment service providers was the level of ongoing support provided to both the employees and employers.

"We support the employers and our clients for as long as they need us to," he said.

ON-Q's mission is to help people, especially those who are disadvantaged or who have a disability, to build valued social roles in their communities through participation in paid work.

According to Mr Tanner, helping people get jobs not only helps the people themselves, it helps the community as a whole.

Being in paid work increases people's self esteem and improves their quality of life.  It also reduces the demand on the public purse.

"One of our mottos at ON-Q is that we turn pensioners into taxpayers," Mr Tanner said.

Anyone interested in finding out further information about the services offered by ON-Q Human Resources can call into the organisation's Casino office, in the building at the corner of Walker and Canterbury Streets, or phone 6662 6555.