The Disability Employment Services (DES) program is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Social Services. VERTO offers DES in the Central West and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales. With over 20 years of proven success and a track record as a five star-rated DES provider, this is one of VERTO’s core service offerings.

Our DES program is aimed at assisting clients with a disability, injury or health condition that require assistance in gaining or maintaining employment. VERTO also work closely with their local employers to help them connect with the right job seeker for their business.

When Wayne came to VERTO in Bathurst, he was looking for a chance to change occupations and try a new industry. Wayne had previously been employed in one organisation for many years and faced a number of barriers in finding a new career path.

Wayne’s VERTO DES consultant Amy Waight was on hand to help him move forward.

“Wayne was willing to undertake work experience and study to help secure a new job, overcoming the significant barriers to employment he has previously faced,” Amy said.

“An intellectual disability and poor reading and writing skills made study options and ongoing employment a challenge for Wayne, however, his drive to learn and excitement at the prospects of a new role helped to keep him focused.

“I was incredibly impressed at his determination to pursue a new career path.”

Wayne worked with Amy to help him to update his skills and to restructure his resume. Overcoming these hurdles, Wayne soon landed an interview with local horticultural company Bathurst Discount Yard Maintenance. Wayne met with business owner Ashley for an interview, and soon after started work.

“Wayne has hit the ground running and has been working near full-time hours since he started with Bathurst Discount Yard Maintenance,” Ashley said.

While his intellectual barriers sometimes requires Wayne to have a mate on hand to help him with written instructions, early indicators from Ashley say that Wayne is quite the ‘whizz’ on the whipper snipper and is a great asset to the team.