Big successes in Big W

In August 2008, Terina Boyle commenced a work trial with two other people with disabilities at Big W Cumberland Park. On completion of the work trial all three people were offered a job.

With an extensive clerical, retail and customer service based background; Terina was a perfect match for a Checkout Service Assistant role that became vacant in the store. Terina has previously spent many years working in organisations where her wide range of skills were developed and refined but she still lacked the confidence in herself to feel as though she was doing a good job. Terina suffers from Anxiety and registered with a Disability Employment Network (DEN) Provider for assistance on-the-job.

Terina's employment coordinator is amazed at the transformation Terina has experienced since finding stable and happy employment. Being unemployed for approximately 2 years before commencing with Big W, Terina is passionate about her job and looks forward to waking up and going to work. When asked about what the job does for her she exclaimed, “It has given me my self esteem back. Before I started here I wouldn't say ‘boo'. Now I have a purpose.”

Liz Graham, Business Manager of Apparel at the Cumberland Park store works with all three people with a disability who were employed in the store on the work trial and is impressed that all three have sustained employment. Liz says it is vital that whoever takes on a person with a disability ensures they are receiving adequate assistance and takes responsibility for guaranteeing their success.

“Terina has a passion to succeed and we have a passion to ensure she does succeed.” - Liz Graham, Business Manager of Apparel, Big W Cumberland Park

Terina is just like every other worker in Big W and has passion and drive for her job. Her anxiety can result in getting stressed during busy times. Through the support of her DEN provider, DWA and Big W, Terina is overcoming her nerves and anxiety.

“Terina is very settled in her new job and the change in her confidence and self esteem is remarkable. She not long ago signed a new permanent part time contract, well done Terina!” - Vince Beaty, Employment Coordinator at Interwork Hove

Since signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Woolworths Ltd. in 2007, DWA has successfully assisted Woolworths Ltd. employ over 300 people with disabilities into their stores. Successes such as this are always a pleasure to see and we look forward to the many more to be experienced in the future.

 

Matching Motivated People to Employers