Mission Australia

Fair-go philosophy puts A&W Hollier in running for Employer Award

A&W Hollier, owned and managed by husband and wife team Arthur and Wanda, has been nominated for a Mission Australia 2012 Employer Award for their work with long-term unemployed people and job seekers with disabilities.

Located in Fairfield, New South Wales, they supply Australia's favourite confectionary and catering products to convenience stores, service stations, independent supermarkets, schools and sporting complexes.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions Sales Support Officer Sam Nona said Arthur and Wanda worked with Mission Australia to placed seven people into work this year, and have put on 26 people since July 2009.

“A&W Hollier believes in giving all candidates a ‘fair go’,” said Ms Nona. “They look for people who have a commitment to work, and are happy to work with them and support them to overcome any barriers or issues that have.”

Ben was a 60-year-old job seeker who has spent the past 15 years as a carer for his ill mother while dealing with his own medical issues. Impressed by Ben’s enthusiasm, A&W Hollier gave him an opportunity to work.

They provided two weeks’ initial training to enable him to gain the skills needed for the role and have given him regular breaks to allow him time to settle in and manage the workload.

The business keeps in contact with Mission Australia Employment Solutions sales support staff and have created an ongoing training plan for Ben.

A&W Hollier has also employed Aboriginal job seekers and single parents returning to the workforce, allowing them flexible working arrangement to enable them to care for their children.

Nominate an excellent employer by Friday!

If you know an employer who has helped transform the lives of a job seeker, then please help us to celebrate their efforts. There’s just over a week left to nominate them for an Employer Award as applications need to be in by Friday 10 August.

At our Sydney gala dinner in November we will recognise the National Employer of the Year, the NEIS Business of the Year. We’ll also give out a General Manager's Award and present an award to an employer who has hired a job seeker with a disability.

The awards are open to all local employers of participating Mission Australia Employment Solutions sites, including Job Services Australia (JSA), Disability Management Services (DMS), and Mission Australia NEIS businesses.

To find out more about the Mission Australia Employer Awards or to nominate a worthy business, please visit our Employment Solutions website.