FOR the past four months, Emily Reynolds has been working as a packer at Paul’s Warehouse in Prospect — and has loved every minute of it.
‘‘It’s been going very well ... it’s helped me to build my confidence up to go and face the world,’’ she said.
The 29-year-old, who has an intellectual disability, said despite working in other jobs at a cafe and a McDonald’s outlet, finding employment was difficult.
‘‘I would usually be very shy in interviews,’’ she said.
But the St Marys resident was able to find work at Paul’s Warehouse through Nova Employment, which focuses on finding jobs for people with disabilities.
Following a successful effort last year, Nova is again launching its 100 jobs in 100 days campaign, which aims to find work for people like Ms Reynolds.
Nova employment consultant Dale Lavender helped Ms Reynolds find her current job stocking and tagging new products at the shoe store, and said the target of 100 jobs should be an achievable one.
‘‘We did it last year so I’m pretty confident,’’ she said.
As well as helping Ms Reynolds move into her new role through Nova’s Transition to Work program, Ms Lavender also worked closely with the employers, to help make an easier transition to the workplace.
‘‘It was very smooth, because of all the support [the process] was a lot faster,’’ she said.
‘‘[Emily] isn’t seen as just someone with a disability, she’s seen as another employee.’’
In the time she’s been working at Paul’s Warehouse, Ms Reynolds says she’s been welcomed with open arms by her fellow workers.
‘‘It’s been going really well, actually, I’ve been able to work really well with everyone,’’ she said.
While happy to be a packer, Ms Reynolds has high ambitions for the future. ‘‘I would want to be a team leader some day,’’ she said.
