In a joint announcement, the Western Australian government and a disability services provider have revealed a partnership that will secure jobs for hundreds of workers with disabilities.
Following financial assistance provided to Activ Foundation by the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments to allow its worksites to remain open for up to a further 18 months, around 600 people with disability will now continue in their current place of employment.
In May, Activ Foundation announced its intention to close its large-scale industrial work sites in Western Australia. The closures were to commence from mid-July 2022.
The Australian Government established a Transition Taskforce and committed $7.85 million worth of transitional grant funding to keep Activ Foundation’s worksites operating for an additional 18-month period to better support the transition of employees into new placements.
The McGowan Government also provided $4 million of funding to support Western Australian-based Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs).
WA Premier Mark McGowan and WA Disability Services Minister Don Punch visited the Activ worksite in Bentley on Monday to announce the acquisition.
The acquisition of Activ’s WA worksites to Workpower Inc. is expected to be complete and fully operational by 30 June 2023.