Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley has today opened Workpower’s new multi-purpose hub in Balcatta, which will deliver significant employment, training and life skills for Western Australians with disabilities.
Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley has today opened Workpower’s new multi-purpose hub in Balcatta, which will deliver significant employment, training and life skills for Western Australians with disability.
State Government funding via a $958,000 Lotterywest grant helped to transform a former agricultural machinery maintenance facility into a safe, modern, accessible one-stop employment and training hub.
Workpower is a Western Australian Disability Enterprise, which provides employment and training opportunities for people with disability and assists school leavers into supported or open employment pathways within its social enterprises.
The new premises ensure safe, stable employment for 125 long-term supported employees, as well as offering learning, life-skills and vocational training.
Key improvements include accessible training rooms, upgraded amenities and safe workflow areas, purpose-designed VR learning spaces, VR sensory suite and physical sensory rooms, quiet rooms and breakout areas.
Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley said: “I am immensely proud to open Workpower’s fantastic new Balcatta Hub, which will offer access to a whole range of essential employment, training and life skills for people with disability.
“The employment of people with disability remains a priority for the Cook Labor Government, and we are proud to support organisations which are creating quality jobs and promoting inclusive communities.
“We are proud of our track record in supporting Western Australian Disability Enterprises which play a valuable role in providing employment options and opportunities for people with disability and helping them to gain the skills required to seek open employment.”
Balcatta MLA David Michael said: “I’m so pleased to see such an incredible facility built in my electorate for people with disability in my community.
“This hub will help open up training and job opportunities for people with disability which will enable them to fulfil their potential and contribute to a more inclusive local community.”
Workpower CEO Lee Broomhall said: “Lotterywest’s support strengthens our long-term strategy to build a future where young people with disability have simple, accessible pathways from school to life learning, to employment, and beyond.
“Balcatta is our first hub created entirely with those pathways in mind.
“It brings VR learning, skills development, work experience and supported employment together in one modern space, giving people the tools and confidence to shape their own future.”
