People with a disability a solution for skill shortage crisis
18 May 2005
Australia’s rapidly growing hospitality industry is facing a critical skills shortage as experts estimate the creation of 65,000 new jobs within the next five years*.
Bucking the trend facing traditional hospitality businesses - which are already hard-pressed for quality staff - Geelong-based café and gourmet catering service dal (previously Dial-A-Lunch) is enjoying solid growth through a business model based on employing and training skilled people with disabilities.
Frustrated with the lack of employment opportunities for her daughter, who suffered brain damage caused by measles, Executive Director Marie Kuchenmeister founded dal in Geelong in1991 as a government-funded Training and Employment Service.
“When you look at dal’s simple beginnings it is hard to believe we now have two busy cafes and a very successful and professional catering business,” Ms Kuchenmeister said.
dal employs and provides a variety of training and employment programs for people with special needs. Employees develop industry skills on -the- job and receive further training at The Gordon Institute of TAFE, including preparation, cooking and presentation of food, delivering to venue and table waiting.
Keen to further increase their expertise, many of dal’s staff has achieved Certificates II and III in Hospitality Studies and one staff member has already completed her apprenticeship as a chef.
Australian Disability Training Advisory Council (ADTAC) co-Chair and small business owner Leonie Clyne commends dal’s innovation and urges other hospitality businesses to reap the benefits of employing skilled people with disabilities.
“Hiring people with disabilities takes advantage of a workforce of over 750,000 potential employees. Statistics show employers who hire people with disabilities can also expect to enjoy higher employee loyalty combined with lower levels of absenteeism and lower recruitment costs**.” Ms Clyne said.
Ms Kuchenmeister cites first-hand experience and glowing customer feedback which indicates hiring people with disabilities is a wise decision, for staff, for the business and for the local community.
“There are so many problems with skill shortages in this industry, I can’t believe more employees aren’t tapping into this ‘hidden workforce’. I know I will always have enough skilled staff to maintain dal’s customer satisfaction as the business continues to grow,” Ms Kuchenmeister said.
Employers seeking information on hiring people with a disability can use the website www.jobable.gov.au as an information resource. A revised Blueprint for Bridging Pathways – the five-year national VET strategy for people with a disability – was released in December 2004. For information and copies of Bridging Pathways’ revised blueprint, contact Julie Mackey at ADTAC. Ph: (03) 9630 9865, email: adtac@anta.gov.au or download from www.anta.gov.au/vetADTAC.asp
ADTAC is an advisory committee to the Australian National Training Authority Board. ADTAC’s mission is to create a shared commitment to improve training and employment opportunities for people with a disability through vocational education and training (VET).
*DEWR Job Outlook, June 2004. **DEWR Employee Benefits Flyer, Oct 2004
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