Ilse is a business woman who has seen the benefits of employing people with disability.
As the manager of ProteaFlora Nursery in Victoria’s Dandenong Rangers, Ilse hired the nursery’s first employee with disability, Robert, who has a hearing impairment.
ProteaFlora is a wholesale nursery and a leading supplier of protea flowers to nurseries, garden centres and cut flower growers across Australia and overseas.
‘His disability did not faze us’, said Ilse, ‘he explained that his disability would have no impact on the position and we felt he was capable to take on the workload and his enthusiasm was very impressive’.
Ilse notes that Robert’s gregarious personality has been a benefit to the business and has enabled him to fit in with the team. ‘I am so glad that we saw Robert’s potential and realised his ability—he has become a great asset to our business.’
Robert’s new hearing aid, which his Job Network member, Sarina Russo Job Network Lilydale, helped him buy, has made a huge difference in Robert’s confidence and ability to interact with people.
Robert said, ‘I’m so thankful to Sarina Russo and ProteaFlora Nursery for believing in me. I had a great passion to work with people but my hearing problem was a hurdle that was too big for some employers to overcome’.
By realising his ability and hiring Robert, Ilse has gained an employee with an enthusiastic attitude and a passion to work. Like Robert, people with disability bring a range of skills, abilities and qualifications to the workplace. Find out more about the benefits to your business of employing people with disability:
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