Mai-Wel LabourForce Solutions (MWLFS) offer a range of services for participants to grow and learn to achieve their employment goals, from building work skills and gaining experience while at high school through to gaining and thriving in meaningful employment.

Meet Aiden, a MWLFS participant who has been preparing for the world of work with a range of services.

Aiden starting his journey with Mai-Wel by attending Get Started program during high school, from which he graduated Year 12 in 2019. Upon graduating, Aiden used his NDIS School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) funding to access Mai-Wel’s Step Up program for capacity building and to further develop the foundation of work skills he had acquired with Get Started.

Now, through Step Up, Aiden has completed work experience at Mai-Wel Enterprises (MWE), a supported employment environment which provides a range of products and services to businesses across the Hunter. The collaboration between Step Up and Mai-Wel Enterprises has allowed participants like Aiden to experience a real work environment once a week on a Wednesday morning.

While at MWE, Aiden has been learning about productivity, time management, building communication and social skills, teamwork, record keeping and adhering to Work, Health and Safety requirements, as well as staying on task and following directions. The supportive work experience has allowed Aiden to build confidence that will assist him greatly when he enters open employment.

The managers at Mai-Wel Enterprises have observed the development and capacity built by Aiden and the benefits, value and inclusion from attending work experience in their team.

“It has been a pleasure to have Get Started and Step Up participants contribute through work experience to be part of the Mai-Wel Enterprises team. This experience supports and promotes a smooth transition to building skills and capacity for working life.”

Aiden is in the process of registering with Mai-Wel LabourForce Solutions Disability Employment Service, which will assist him to start his job search in open employment, putting his skills and experience developed during Step Up to use.

Overall, the collaboration between Aiden’s school, family, Get Started, Step Up and Mai-Wel Enterprises has provided a holistic approach to building work skill, experience and capacity, which has assisted Aiden’s success on his employment journey to date.

We wish Aiden good luck in the future!

If you would like to build your capacity for employment with SLES supports, contact the team at start@maiwel.com.au or 4057 2900, or visit Mai-Wel’s School Leavers Employment Supports information.

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