At Workbridge - Outer East Employment Service, we are continually striving to be an 'employer of choice'. For us, this means that we support our employees to learn new skills, obtain new knowledge and to pursue their career dreams. It also means that our employees are valued in their workplace and strive to do the best for our clients and the community.
Corporate Mission
The mission of Workbridge and the Outer East Employment Service is to assist and support individuals with disabilities and unemployed persons with special needs to access a range of vocational training and employment opportunities which promote and enhance their skills and financial independence and valued roles in the community. We strive to provide in a variety of ways a quality service which offers individualised support relevant to the person's career aspirations and needs.
History
Outer East Employment Service (OEES) has been operating since 1993, when four disability services were amalgamated to form one service in the eastern metropolitan region of Melbourne. Trading as Workbridge, OEES is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Services Provided
Workbridge provides a high standard of individual case management services, career counselling, pre-vocational support and training, and employment assistance via the creation of job opportunities for people with disabilities, the long-term unemployed, mature aged, indigenous and other disadvantaged adults and youth. We also provide close links with local community groups, not-for-profit organisations and specialised service providers, along with local employers and fee-for-service professionals who can provide ongoing support and assistance.
Workbridge has a demonstrated high job retention rate, indicating close post-placement support and careful pre-vocational support and training. On-site support is also offered until the jobseeker becomes an independent worker.
Disability Service Standards
Workbridge is committed to improving the quality of the service that we offer our service recipients. Part of this process is empowering each service recipient by providing information on what they should expect from our service. Click here to find out more about Disability Service Standards.
Board of Management
Workbridge is governed by a group of local prominent business owners and volunteers known as the Board of Management. They are accountable to the funding body, Commonwealth Department of Employment & Workplace Relations.
The Board comprises of a Chairperson, Deputy Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, the Chief Executive Officer and Ordinary Members. The Board is responsible for the governance of the organisation, setting the strategic aims such as providing a quality service. For the last 9 years Workbridge has been granted a Quality Assurance endorsement.
The Board's actions are subject to laws, regulations and the Annual General Meeting. They are the guardians of the organisation and its mission.
Job Seeker
A jobseeker must be in employment for a continuous 13-week or 26-week period depending on the type of program, at a minimum of eight hours a week for the Department of Employment & Workplace Relations to recognise that work as an employment outcome. All jobseekers receive award-based wages whilst in employment and must be registered with Centrelink, or be eligible for registration to receive assistance. Workbridge does not specialise in any particular disability, rather offering assistance to all people with a disability, or other disadvantage.
Workplace Support
Workbridge also provides information on workplace modifications (if necessary), subsidies, travel training, and other community service information and referrals. Assistance is also available if a jobseeker is having difficulties reaching particular productivity levels, and a supported wage subsidy is deemed appropriate. The opportunities provided for clients have far-reaching effects on their well-being and sense of belonging in the general community.