Inclusion Alberta’s Rotary Employment Partnership, which has been creating jobs for individuals with developmental disabilities across Alberta for over 20 years, has expanded into the Foothills region.
It’s now working with Rotary clubs in both High River and Okotoks, and is looking for inclusive employers and job seekers.
Albertans with developmental disabilities experience an unemployment rate of more than 70 per cent. The Rotary Employment Partnership is working to reverse this statistic by working with local business leaders wanting to explore an untapped labour market while creating life-changing job opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The partnership has created over 725 jobs to date across the province in industries such as food service, administration, labour and everything in between.
“We all want to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities,” said Orvella Small, executive director of Inclusion Foothills and chair of the Foothills Rotary Employment Partnership steering committee. “Partnering with the Foothills Rotary Employment Partnership means employment for individuals with developmental disabilities, and all of us collaborating means opportunity.”
Since connecting with the Rotary Employment Partnership through the Rotary Club of Okotoks earlier this year, Okotoks Honda has become a leader in inclusive employment, having hired two individuals in its parts and service department.
Brian Shepard, service and parts manager at Okotoks Honda, said the partnership has been especially valuable during the current widespread labour shortage.
“I feel lucky I was able to have the right connections to get aligned with the Rotary Employment Partnership,” said Shepard. “We have been able to match applicants to the roles I was looking to fill. I will 100 per cent be [hiring through the partnership] again in the future when I need to hire.”
The dealership hired Nick Pluschke six months ago to work in the shop covering duties such as washing vehicles, assisting technicians with seasonal tire changeovers and general cleaning. Shepard said Pluschke is reliable, never late and always willing to go above and beyond in his work.
“Nick is an asset to this organization,” said Shepard. “We hope he is a long-term employee.”
Dawson Harbus was hired more recently to work in the service drive-through to fulfill tasks such as checking wheel alignments, processing vehicles to the staging area, assisting in tire storage and vehicle washing. Shepard said although Harbus has only been with the dealership for a short while, the positive impact he has brought to the team is already apparent.
“Dawson gets along very well with his co-workers and likes to pitch in whenever asked,” said Shepard. “I think Dawson will be a long-term employee who will contribute daily.
“I’ve been at this store over the last 12 years and Nick and Dawson perform as well as any employee who’s been in this role previously,” he continued.
Shepard said the hiring process was both pleasant and efficient, having had the opportunity to interview several candidates with the support of the Rotary Employment Partnership team.
Pluschke said the job has been going very well, and he’s grateful to be working at Okotoks Honda.
“What it means to me [is] financial security and a better future,” he said. “And it's going great, I work with fantastic people. Gotta make Honda look good.”
Inclusion Alberta’s Rotary Employment Partnership in the Foothills Region is made possible by funding from Ready, Willing and Able’, a federal initiative to create employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. To learn more about becoming an inclusive employer with the Rotary Employment Partnership, visit inclusionalberta.org or call 1-800-252-7556.
