Disability Employment Services participant, Adam Davies, has featured on the front of a special feature in The Morning Bulletin newspaper celebrating Disability Action Week in Queensland.
Disability Action Week is held every September with the aim of empowering people with disability, raising awareness of disability issues, and improving access and inclusion throughout the wider community.
Adam has been in long-term employment with IGA Glenmore for more than 10 years and is one of five people with disabilities who are valuable members of the store's team.
To find out more about how APM supports job seekers with disabilities and local employers here.
From The Morning Bulletin...
Service with a smile
With eyes like a hawk and more than 10 years’ experience in fresh produce, Adam Davies keeps everything in check along with the help of his fruit and veg manager Carolyn Semple.
“It’s my job to check the potatoes, onions and other food to see if they’re going bad,” he said, cleaning out the potato tray.
“I clean out the sections and put new matting down ready for the fresh stuff to be put back in ready for the customers.”
Having worked at IGA Glenmore for 10 years, Adam said he was transferred from Monto and has been a part of the IGA team for 13 years in total. Carolyn said Adam always comes to work wearing a smile.
“He’s a bit of a larrikin,” she chuckled. “But he loves his job, just look at that smile.”
Adam is one of five employees at Drakes Supa IGA Glenmore with a disability.
Store manager Scott Perel said of the five employed, three (including Adam) have worked permanent part-time for 10 years at the store, while the other two employees had worked casually for five years.
“We’ve worked very closely over the years with Community Solutions and APM Employment Services when employing new workers,” Scott said.
“They’re loved by the colleagues here. Adam recently celebrated his birthday in store.
“He’s [Adam] like a sponge; the customers and staff have absorbed him as part of the IGA family.
“One of our other employees, Craig, works the front register and many of our customers prefer to go through him due to his friendly nature and customer service skills.”
For more information visit: qld.gov.au/disability/business/employers-colleagues or dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.