A new relationship has been born: OCTEC Gold Coast and Gold Coast Bakeries are now in partnership to employ members of the Disability Employment Services community.
When Workplace Development Coordinator Kath Butler, Career Consultant Emily Marshall and I toured the Gold Coast Bakeries factory with their HR Manager, Adam Jackson, we realised the potential gain.
We saw firsthand that the impressive work environment is supportive, inclusive and professional.
It all started with a contact Nerang Career Consultant John Norman had at the factory. John and Career Consultant Michelle Maxwell both worked diligently to source the perfect candidates for the factory culture.
The business, located in the Gold Coast suburb Molendinar, has a solid history of being fully Queensland-owned and run, dedicated to providing quality produce to of the whole Gold Coast region. Homestyle Bakeries is the proud new owner of Gold Coast Bakeries after 66 years in the Marrable family.
We are excited and confident about this new collaboration between OCTEC and Gold Coast Bakeries.
The company’s values were evident during the employment journey for two participants who have found fulfilling, lucrative employment at the factory.
The right opportunity, encouragement and assistance is exactly what Blake and Roger needed to transform their lives.
Roger, a mature-aged jobseeker, handpicked the factory as his preferred place to work and is a huge success story. This opportunity has been a turning point in his life. Employment was the difference between facing homelessness and being housed. It also offered him independence.
Roger dreamed of stable employment and we worked with the factory HR Manager to make it a reality. He is now earning great money and has steady shifts, enjoying the smell of fresh bread baking each day.
Having a sought-after forklift licence, Blake is viewed as highly-valuable and “rare as hen’s teeth” at the factory.
He was welcomed with open arms to join the team. Blake felt ready to return to work after spinal injuries changed his life and he can now manage the physical, emotional and mental toll that accompany his circumstances.
Once working with Michelle, he discovered the opportunity at Gold Coast Bakery. OCTEC organised Blake’s accreditation, workwear and the support equipment needed to succeed in the new role. He is happy with the new chapter in his career and loves being a valued member of the bakery team.
The conditions and culture at Gold Coast Bakeries includes:
- Opportunity for career and skill progression
- Long-term business offering secure future
- Molendinar location with off street, free parking
- Take home a free loaf of bread daily
- Employee discounts
- Supportive company culture.
We look forward to expanding the team at the Molendinar factory with participants ready to transform their lives. New roles have opened up and we are filling them fast with quality OCTEC participants who are keen to work.
By OCTEC Disability Employment Services Gold Coast Regional Manager, Zoe Parkinson