The Cairns Convention Centre is an award-winning venue on the shores of the Great Barrier Reef. With an auditorium, theatre, ballroom, brand new outdoor terrace area, and more the Cairns Convention Centre has played host to many a convention, seminar, gala dinner and the like.
Of course, with such an impressive and well-run space comes a lot of people involved that keep everything working in the day to day. Meet Rachel, Director of Corporate Services at Cairns Convention Centre. Part of her role is being a key part of recruiting new employees to the centre, and thanks to the help of Tourism Taster she was able to source two new hardworking and motivated employees that were a great fit.
Tourism Taster was a 12-month pilot program delivered by EPIC Assist from July 2023 to June 2024, headed by Trudy Nagle from our Cairns team in a dedicated Tourism Taster Coordinator role. The program aimed to connect Cairns’ tourism businesses to employees with disability. They worked with employers to break down barriers around hiring people with disability and build an accessible and inclusive business.
Trudy gives Rachel a taste of Tourism Taster
Trudy spoke with Rachel and asked if Cairns Convention Centre would be interested in employing people with disability. Rachel jumped at the opportunity, and Trudy got busy going out and securing eligible candidates.
“Like any other employer we’re always interested in branching out, expanding, and diversifying our employee skillset. Anyone who’s skilled and motivated we’d love to have at the convention centre, doesn’t matter who you are – we really value diversity,” Rachel explained with a smile.
Rachel went on to say that Cairns Convention Centre had always been open to the idea of hiring people with disability, but they found that their job ads weren’t really finding that audience.
“We saw Trudy as a real opportunity to tap into that avenue of job seekers and help connect us with some motivated and interested candidates! She was also a great source of knowledge when it came to making any workplace adjustments that we’d need to consider depending on who we’d be bringing on board at the convention centre. Working with Trudy really made all the difference,” Rachel said earnestly.
Part of Trudy’s role was acting as a go between for the employer and job seeker, which meant Rachel would meet with applicants who already had a good idea of the sort of work they’d be coming into and the sort of adjustments they would need in their respective roles.
Thanks to Trudy, everyone’s set up for success!
Stephan and Brett are a perfect fit
Rachel has taken on several participants through Tourism Taster, including Stephan who works in the kitchen, and Brett in the venue presentation team. Rachel explained to us that Stephan is highly skilled and qualified for his job as a chef, and his only wish was some flexibility for his work hours. Being in the events industry, Cairns Convention Centre was more than happy to adjust and accommodate.
“Brett has done great since joining too. Being a member of the venue presentation team, part of his role is to keep the centre squeaky clean and looking presentable for all the day’s events. It’s a constant team effort, and Brett slots right in as one of our most important members,” said Rachel with a proud nod.
Rachel went on to explain just how easily Brett has been accepted by his team, and the great energy his personality brings to the workplace.
“We just really love to have him here as part of our team,” said Rachel.
To show their gratitude to Trudy and the Tourism Taster team, Rachel ensured that the Cairns Convention Centre would host the Tourism Taster: Diversity and Inclusion in the Tourism Industry event. The event was an opportunity for members of the Cairns community to come together and learn more about the benefits of hiring people with disability, hear from employers who have participated in the project, and learn how to overcome stigma and barriers to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. The event was a huge success thanks to the hard work of Tourism Taster success stories like Stephan and Brett.
Final words from Rachel
Rachel explained that more than anything else, she was blown away by just how easy the process was to make workplace adjustments and how simple they were to implement. For such a small change, it opens up a business to an entirely new wealth of candidates who are keen to work and ready to learn – the exact kind of employee that recruiters are looking for.
“It’s a solution that employees want; it’s a solution that employers want. All that’s left is to get together and make it work!” said Rachel with a laugh.
If you’re thinking of hiring a person with disability, start the conversation with us today by phoning 13 EPIC (3742) or sending us a message.
