LIFE & STYLE
NOVA ’ s a perfect match for O ’ Brien Aluminium
“ Just over two years ago , NOVA literally came and knocked on the door and asked how we were situated for staff at that time . Like every other company we couldn ’ t get staff ,” recalls Cheryl Baynham , office and accounts manager at O ’ Brien Aluminium .
“ We ’ d be running ads for months , no response .
“ They thoroughly explained to us how Nova worked , investigated how we worked , looked into every facet of our business and basically went away and found one of their workers that suited us .”
Since then , O ’ Brien Aluminium has hired more perfectly matched workers from NOVA Employment which is a specialised recruitment agency for workers with a disability .
“ It ’ s working out for both us and the workers … it ’ s been all positive … they ’ re very , very good employees with good attitudes . I ’ m very happy and content with the results ,” general manager Jeff Schuldt said .
“ David for instance , is fitting tray bodies . Will is learning about operating and programming our CNC machine . Samuel ’ s working in the store , learning about inventory control and Stephen is quite new , but he ’ s been doing some assembly work and he ’ s running the machinery .
“ Joanne ’ s doing a fantastic job in the reception area and Phil he ’ s a really clever guy and solid worker , very reliable .”
Jeff said the reaction from the other employees has been really positive . Their presence has improved morale across the
O ’ Brien Aluminum Office Manager Cheryl Baynham ( L ) and GM , Jeff Schuldt ( R ) witht their inclusive manufacturing workforce .
company as well as growing their own confidence and abilities .
The NOVA recruits ’ roles are extremely important .
“ They play such a supportive role to our leading hands , to our welders , to our fabrication guys , to our trade body guys ,” Cheryl said .
“ They can be assembling large facade louvers for the sides of buildings [ or ] general labouring , that can be anything from helping with the guillotine , where we cut sheets of metal to the folding machines , to the welding area .”
One of the main benefits of using
NOVA and hiring people with disabilities according to Cheryl is that NOVA ’ s program gives everybody a second chance .
“ They ’ ve had something major or minor in their life that ’ s caused some difficulty in getting employment … and they come in and fulfil themselves again ,” she said .
David , who now leads our louvre panel building , as well as working in tray body fitment went through NOVA Employment after sustaining an eye injury .
“ I have previous skills as a cabinetmaker , which is similar work with making the panels . It ’ s a lot to do with being accurate . Similar saws , just different blades on them . So yeah , it suits me good ,” he said of being recruited through NOVA .
“ The best thing about my job is the people I work for and work with . I enjoy the work … I love the environment here . I want to keep working here . I like to try and do the best job I can as I take pride in what I do .”
NOVA is a FREE RECRUITMENT SERVICE for any size or type of industry . Located : 6 / 16 Kable St , Windsor . Contact : Priya Srinivasan 0414 362 789 .
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 155 // APRIL 2023 15