The Employment team continued their ambitious journey to create more employment opportunities across all programs at The Bridge.
Our Social Enterprise set out to exceed 100 Supported Employees. This was achieved through the aquisition with IDV and a warehouse in the North, as well as welcoming 27 Supported Employees from another provider who ceased their warehousing operations. We now have over 130 Supported Employees across four social enterprise warehouses and two micro-businesses.
We’ve also seen a number of business partners – focused on environmental sustainability increase their operations through The Bridge Works sites. We have also welcomed new partners who share our values and mission in supporting people with disabilities to gain meaningful employment.
The Casey CALD Youth Program continues to thrive placing 17 job seekers into employment to meet the needs of the local community within the Casey City Council area. The majority have stayed in these roles for more than 6 months. The Bridge is proud to continue this service to the residents of Casey for another three years and will conduct a social impact study at the program’s conclusion.
In March, our Cleaning Crew took on additional work cleaning our Head Office, Hub 31 and Your Job Now sites in Dandenong.. We now have two full crews and 15 Supported Employees working five days a week.
In June, The Bridge was awarded, for the second time in three years, the 2025 Community Impact Award presented by the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce, in a very competitive category of businesses vying for this prestigious accolade.
Our Disability Employment Services (DES) team have had a great year placing 13 clients into jobs, as well as collaborating with external NDIS providers to support their clients into employment but also placing our clients into work with NDIS providers!
Further, our DES team has worked very well with our Your Job Now and Works teams to support The Bridge clients into open employment.
Earlier this year, Youth Jobs Now changed their name to Your Job Now to remove age-based barriers. The team continues to support clients with employability skills and hands-on work experience for at least 12 weeks.
myDRIVESCHOOL also continues to help clients gain learner licenses through simulator-based training, building both skills and confidence on the road.
The Bridge Employment remains committed to empowering individuals and strengthening communities through meaningful work. By providing wraparound support, forging inclusive partnerships, and prioritising wellbeing, we are laying the foundation for an even brighter future.
David Kazakoff
The Bridge Employment – General Manager