Partnering with Water Corporation

Employer relationships are central to Edge’s success, as we work in partnership to support people with disability to find meaningful employment.

We are passionate about supporting and engaging our employers on their inclusive journey, and providing helpful guidance at every stage. Together, we have important roles to play in helping to change lives for the better. We take that responsibility extremely seriously.

One of our key employers is Water Corporation. Our valued partnership has been ongoing since 1995. Since then, we have assisted a total of 10 clients to find meaningful work at Water Corporation.

This year, we embarked on a new school-based traineeship program with Water Corporation, partnering with them and local schools to find students interested in completing a Certificate II in Workplace Skills.

In consultation with Edge, Water Corporation successfully recruited four young people with disability to be involved in this school-based traineeship program. The students are the first of 15 school-based trainees that Water Corporation will employ over the next six years.

Three trainees are now based in Water Corporation’s head office in Leederville, while the fourth trainee is working from their Balcatta office.

Giacinta Smith, Principal Diversity and Inclusion at Water Corporation, recognises the challenges faced by people with disability. “For Water Corporation, creating an inclusive workplace that provides equal opportunities to people from diverse backgrounds is incredibly important. Our partnership with Edge is one way we can help empower young people with disability to achieve their goals,” she said.

Research from Disabled People’s Organisations Australia states that “Many young people with disability do not enter the labour force at all over the first seven post-school years, and are much more likely to experience long-term unemployment than those without a disability.”

This research underlines the importance of programs and partnerships like this, that can offer life-changing results for students. Water Corporation reached out to the trainees to ask about their experience of the program.

Talia, a student at West Coast Secondary Support Education Centre said, “I’ve been placed in the Health & Wellbeing team, which I’m so happy about because mental health is really important to me. I’ve learnt so much already about mental health and how it applies to myself, but also how I can support my friends, too.”

Tasha, a student at Shenton College’s Deaf Education Centre, feels incredibly supported. “I’m working in the Marketing department. The best part about working here is the people. Everyone has been so lovely and willing to learn Auslan to communicate with me, even though I have a translator.”

Bailey, a student at Duncraig Senior High School, is interested in numbers and has been assigned to his perfect role. “I’ve been placed in the Strategic Finance team. I enjoy maths, so it’s a good place for me to be. I’m really enjoying both the work and the team, who are all so friendly.”

Callum, a student at Trinity College, is also thriving in his new role at Water Corporation. “I love working at Water Corporation as they always give me the best jobs. Edge helped me get the role and I have had great support from my Edge Job Coach, Chelsea, who regularly checks in on me.”

Giacinta is impressed with how easily the students have settled into their teams. “The team at Edge helped us find the most suitable candidates for the traineeship positions. Our trainees have already made a positive contribution to their teams and to the wider business. This is in part due to the support provided by the trainees’ Job Coach, which has really helped with a smooth transition from the classroom to the workplace.”

Edge is confident we have the knowledge and experience to support the employer, students, schools, and everyone involved in Water Corporation’s school-based traineeship program. We are committed to delivering our purpose of changing lives through the power of employment, and look forward to seeing what the future holds for each of the four trainees.