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Relating
to employment (Of Disabled persons) at Cumberland Industries Limited.
(Simply click
on the question you would like answered)
1. Who are Cumberland Industries?
2. What type of work do you do?
3. What is the difference between
‘staff’ and ‘employees’ at Cumberland
Industries?
4. How do
I get a job as an ‘employee’ at Cumberland industries?
5. Why do
I need to be on the ‘Disability Support Pension’?
6. How will
income earned from Cumberland Industries affect my pension
or other benefits?
7. How much
do I get paid?
8. What
about my disability, will I be able to
work at Cumberland?
9. Where
are your businesses located?
10. Where
would I have to work?
11. How
would I get to work?
12. I’ve
never really worked before, is that a problem?
13. Am
I too old (or too young)?
14. What
are the hours?
15. Can
I do part time or casual work?
16. Does
the company work weekends?
17. Is
there a chance for promotion or advancement?
18. Do
I have a choice as to the type of work that I would do?
19. Is
it hard work?
20. What
training would I receive?
21. Are
there any social or other activities available?
22. What
are the benefits of working at Cumberland Industries?
23. Where
do I obtain an application form for employment?
24. I live
local to a Cumberland Industries branch, can I drop the
application form in there?
25. How
long will it be before I hear back from the company?
RESPONSE
TO FAQ’S
- Who are Cumberland Industries?
Cumberland Industries is a registered charitable
organisation set up nearly fifty years ago to provide vocational
employment and training for persons with an intellectual
or developmental disability. Today, the organisation caters for a wider range
of disabilities and operates in a vibrant and competitive
commercial environment. We are a non profit, non-sectarian organisation and
work within stringent government requirements and ‘Service
Standards’.
- What type of work do you do?
The company is involved in a very wide range of operations
within the contract packaging and packing field, including:
basic labeling and re-labeling of products; product assembly;
mail out services; industrial sewing; food manufacturing;
household products manufacturing; chocolate and confectionery
manufacturing and packaging; veterinary products packaging;
and state of the art pharmaceutical packing.
- What is the difference between
‘staff’ and ‘employees’ at Cumberland
Industries?
Staff are referred to as those who work in either
a support role for our people with a disability, or work
in the management or administration of the business. “Employees” are those who receive a government
Disability Support Pension who wish to supplement their
income by working in a government approved light industry
‘business service’.
- How do
I get a job as an ‘employee’ at Cumberland industries?
The process is fairly easy. You complete and submit the application form to our
Human Resources, you will then be invited to attend an interview
and work assessment with our Training and Development Manager. The assessment will take approximately 40 minutes. You will then be advised whether the company is able
to offer you a position. If successful, you will be further trained and assessed
for three months under which time you will be employed on
a probationary basis.
- Why do
I need to be on the ‘Disability Support Pension’?
The organisation has been set up specifically to
assist disabled people in their vocational development,
training and education. “Employees” must be either
on the Disability Support Pension, or be entitled to receive
one. The Certified
Agreement that is ratified by the Australian Industrial
Relations Commission, is on the basis of employing persons
with a disability that would not be covered by other Awards.
- How will
income earned from Cumberland Industries affect my pension
or other benefits?
As a general rule, single persons receiving the Disability
Support Pension, are entitled to earn an additional $120
per fortnight before it reduces the level of pension. Beyond which, the pension reduces by 40 cents for
each dollar earned . Benefits such as pharmaceutical benefits continue
so long as at least one dollar of pension is earned. This information should be taken as a guide only,
as each individual needs to be assessed on a case by case
basis, depending on other income (such as from investments)
and/or levels of asset. Please contact Centrelink on their website www.centrelink.gov.au for more information and advice.
- How much
do I get paid?
The company works under an approved Certified Agreement
which has been ratified by the Australian Industrial Relations
Commission. In
general terms, its like having its own Award of wages and
conditions. A
full copy of the Certified Agreement is issued to every
new employee. There are also additional allowances paid for accredited
and nominated fork lift operators; first aid attendants;
and shift allowances. Allowances are also paid to employees that work in
the pharmaceutical TGA Clean Room. Each employee’s performance and wages are assessed
annually. This can be discussed at the employment interview
with a company professional.
- What
about my disability, will I be able to
work at Cumberland?
While the majority of current employees have a mild
to moderate intellectual, or developmental disability –
the company also employs people with other disabilities which
include physical, psychiatric or multiple disabilities. The
company currently has employees with a range of disabilities,
including sensory impairment and those who are mobility
challenged. The
interviewer will be able to confidentially discuss your
own personal circumstances to help determine your ability
to undertake the type of work that Cumberland Industries
performs.
- Where
are your businesses located?
The company has branches at: James Street, Baulkham
Hills; Leabons
Lane, Seven Hills; Hudson Avenue, Castle Hill; Gelibolu Parade, Auburn; and
Kurrajong Avenue, Mt
Druitt
- Where
would I have to work?
Depending on vacancies, you may work at a branch
of your choice. Previous
applicants have based their choice on either convenience
to their home, or wish to pursue a certain type of work
or activity. Due
to the company’s rapid growth and expansion which is
creating new employment opportunities, it is fairly normal
to have vacancies regularly occurring at most of our branches.
- How
would I get to work?
All our branches have been carefully chosen to ensure
that they are located near public transport facilities. Some branches are served by train, whereas others are serviced
by a wide range of bus services. Your transportation planning can be discussed at
your employment interview.
- I’ve
never really worked before, is that a problem?
The company regularly employs persons with a disability
who have never worked before, at all age levels. While we employ new recruits straight from (special)
schools, we also recruit older persons who have no prior
work experience.
- Am
I too old (or too young)?
We have a minimum entry age of 16 years. There is no maximum age for entry, the only condition
being that minimum entry competencies are met, as assessed
at the employment interview.
- What
are the hours?
Most branches work from around 7:45 AM to 3:37 PM Monday
to Friday. Some
branches also have shift work available. There is a morning shift that works from around 6.30
AM to 1.30 PM, as well as an afternoon shift that works
from around 1.30 PM to 9.00 PM.
- Can
I do part time or casual work?
Generally speaking YES. The company encourages part time and casual work. A number of our employees prefer to work only two
to three days per week due to either the nature of their
disability, or their personal preference (such as to attend
TAFE or other courses). This can be fully explored at the employment interview.
- Does
the company work weekends?
No.
- Is
there a chance for promotion or advancement?
The company exists for the vocational training and
development of its employees. Some move on to ‘open employment’ (which
means the normal mainstream employment) and use Cumberland
Industries as a ‘stepping-stone’, while others
select Cumberland Industries as a ‘career choice’. All employees have the opportunity to learn new skills,
receive incremental pay increases based on performance,
and become the ‘best they can be’.
- Do
I have a choice as to the type of work that I would do?
Generally YES, however, the company tries to create
as many different learning opportunities as it can to assist
development and to carry out the work it needs to perform
to maintain commercial viability. Individual Branch Managers
assess what is best for both employee and company interests.
- Is
it hard work?
The work undertaken by the company is all ‘light
assembly’ or packaging work. There is no heavy lifting. While generally the work is repetitious, the company
tries to rotate employees around between different jobs
to maintain high interest levels. The company operates within a commercial context
where the learning of the work ethic is important. The
company is not set up to be an ‘activity centre’,
or a ‘recreational day program centre’ and needs
to meet customer expectations with reasonable work output
and production.
- What
training would I receive?
Training is on-going. New recruits receive thorough induction training
on entry, with each employee having their own personalised
training programme prepared. This is called the Cumberland Vocational and Development
Programme (CVDP). Most training is conducted on-the-job under the careful
guidance of Team Leaders. Training is also conducted off-the-job, as appropriate.
- Are
there any social or other activities available?
Absolutely. Every branch has its own social club and regular
outings are organised for employees, generally on week-ends. There are bus trips to interesting places, harbour
cruises, shows, concerts etc. The company also sponsors other self improvement
type classes such as ‘public speaking’, ‘rock
‘n roll dancing, and more! The company also provides an annual Christmas Picnic
Day, free of charge to employees. The company also has an active Ladies Auxiliary that
provides support to employees.
- What
are the benefits of working at Cumberland Industries?
Based on feedback from past and present employees,
without doubt the single most popular reason why employees
enjoy working at Cumberland Industries is the “friendship
and fun” of working alongside many (new) friends. Other benefits include: learning new tasks, learning
teamwork and cooperation, being appreciated for doing a
worthwhile and meaningful job; the sense of value of good
effort, and
the financial (and other) rewards for work.
- Where
do I obtain an application form for employment?
If you click here,
an application form will appear. You may then complete it and send it to the company, or if
you prefer, you can click
here to print off a hard copy and post it by ‘snail’
mail.
- I live
local to a Cumberland Industries branch, can I drop the
application form in there?
No, please post to Human Resources Department, Cumberland
Industries Ltd. PO Box 875, Auburn 2144 (or send an online application, click here).
- How
long will it be before I hear back from the company?
Once your application form is received it will take
around 10 working days to be processed. You may then be called in for an interview (bringing
along a friend, advocate, or family member, if you wish). Your acceptance (or non acceptance) will then be
advised in writing, around a further 10 working days. If you have any query about your application, you
can speak to someone from our Human Resources Department
on (02) 9643 4400 or email the company: karap@cumbind.com.au
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