Sponsored by Barossa Enterprises
Barossa Enterprises leads the way in supporting youth employment
Develop confidence, self-esteem, motivation and the capacity for work.
Barossa Enterprises is paving the way in supporting youth to experience and secure employment.
Disability and support organisation, Barossa Enterprises, has been part of the Barossa community for over forty five years andis a registered provider for the School Leavers Employment Supports program under the NDIS.
The program offers support for students in their final year or who have recently left school (up to 22 years old) to build their confidence, self-esteem, motivation and capacity for work.
Over the past two years, the program has seen 55 participants across regional South Australia achieve employment or work-related outcomes such as further education, work experience or volunteering.
“We started the program due to a gap in service delivery. Students would leave school with no support to help them prepare for the workforce. Until now, there has been no support for students transitioning from school to work,” said Barossa Enterprises Employment Services Manager, Barry Sims.
“We’re there every step of the way. It’s our role to provide a reliable solution and give our youth the opportunities they deserve.”
Throughout the program, a Support Mentor helps prepare for and navigate the job market, creating a safe space to learn and gain confidence. The Mentor is there to provide the right support at the right time.
“We have seen great success, including one young man achieving employment at a supermarket and another at a removalist company. Other participants have entered various industries such as beauty, painting or gardening”.
“I love cooking for people, and sometimes use Barossa Home & Community Options’ (Barossa Enterprises) kitchen to practice my cooking techniques and share food with my family”
-Alexis Sanders
Participant Alexis secured a work experience placement at St Jakobi Lutheran School. Working alongside the school’s Canteen Manager, Alexis has enjoyed learning knife skills, new recipes, and how to prepare meals to sell. Recently, Alexis was awarded her ‘knife license’ at a school assembly.
Alexis lives with Kearns Sayre Syndrome and is vision impaired. However, this does not impact her initiative or desire to follow her dreams. Calling herself the Blind Chef, Alexis aspires to open her own packaged meal business one day.
“I love cooking for people, and sometimes use Barossa Home & Community Options’ (Barossa Enterprises) kitchen to practice my cooking techniques and share food with my family,” said Alexis.
“While doing this program, I am trying to soak up all the experience I can.”
Another program participant, Hannah, began the program in 2022. Hannah undertook a work experience placement at an Out of School Hours Care Centre. The placement has opened doors for Hannah, who is interested in working with children. Her goal is to achieve employment in the industry, and she is now looking to study childcare.
“Barossa Enterprises truly is a fantastic place with a fantastic culture. It makes a real difference in people’s lives,” said Barry.
“This program gives our youth the right supports, packaged around their unique needs, to help give them their best lives.”
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27 Samuel Road, Nuriootpa