Guy is no stranger to a solid day’s work.
Mowing lawns to fill in his time, Guy had plenty to do but he wanted more structure in his work life.
The 38-year-old came to APM Employment Services for support due to his cerebral palsy and his non-verbal communication.
Together with his family, Guy worked with employment consultant Sarah to find suitable opportunities for ongoing part-time work in his community.
A placement as part of the AccessAbility Day proved successful as Guy developed his confidence to demonstrate his skills and enthusiasm for being in a workshop.
When a job opportunity came up as a workshop assistant with a local rural retailer, Guy didn’t hesitate to prove his ability to be an indispensable member of the team.
Today his employers are so happy to have Guy join them they said he is in high demand from others in the workshop when they need a hand to get work done.
Also a well-known member of the local community in Strathalbyn, Guy’s recent job success has been featured in the Mount Barker Courier.
His employer Alex told the newspaper Guy had exceeded all their expectations.
“It’s worked really well for us to have Guy work as a groundsman and maintaining the sheds – he shows initiative as well to get stuck into his routine and we don’t have to hover over him,” he said.
- If you or someone you know would like help to find work like Guy did, contact APM Employment Services on 1800 276 276 or email apm4jobs@apm.net.au
From the Mount Barker Courier.
New job is Guy’s recipe for happiness
Strathalbyn man Guy Decaux was never going to allow being born with cerebral palsy to stop him from living the rural town life of working outdoors, playing sport and volunteering for the community.
Now 38-years-old, Mr Decaux has been in a stable job as a workshop hand at FPAG Strathalbyn for three months and he couldn’t be happier.
Although his speech is limited, the constant thumbs up gestures and laughter are a good indication he is in his element.
Mr Decaux did signal that he could do his new job of grounds keeping, maintaining the sheds and helping out in the fertiliser spraying trucks forever, because it was better than his previous work of only mowing lawns.
He signalled that mowing was only ever a short term plan to bring work into his life, although it was his only work for more than 10 years.
Disability employment service APM were assisting Mr Decaux to market his mowing business for a better work structure when a showcase day which invited employers and job seekers to connect allowed him to show his talent with tools by fixing his own whipper snipper.
The job offers rolled in not long after Mr Decaux was re-marketed as a workshop assistant.
Employer Alex Lyon said Mr Decaux had exceeded all expectations of the business.
“It’s worked really well for us to have Guy work as a groundsman and maintaining the sheds – he shows initiative as well to get stuck into his routine and we don’t have to hover over him,” Mr Lyon said.
“He does eight hours a week and it’s perfect to have him on two afternoons.”
Community members from all over Strathalbyn recognise Mr Decaux from his involvement in the community and the staff at FPAG all have sporting connections with him which have fostered a workplace banter involving bets on the local football or AFL, according to Mr Lyon.
“I owe Guy some beer because Melbourne has been winning and Guy was supposed to wear a Langhorne Creek guernsey at work today because the A grade won on the weekend and that was the bet,” he said.
“I was playing footy while Guysy was running water on the weekend and when I asked for it he just squirted me in the face.”
With the right work arrangement to keep him happy, a new uniform which he is proud of and a recent pay rise, Mr Decaux is now looking to replace his main transport of a gopher with a ute when he has enough money saved.