The Workforce of the Future | Inclusive Design

Who better to advise on designing for people with disabilities, than those with a disability themselves?

This was the lightbulb realisation shared by Ability Works and Aurecon, which has led to an award-winning business offering that creates work for people with a disability, by leveraging their unique insight. 

The partnership between the global engineering firm and social enterprise formed when Aurecon was in fact consulting to Ability Works (pro bono). Soon enough, it became clear that Ability Works' employees were bringing their own value to that work, and the pair recognised the opportunity to work together longer-term, using 'inclusive design' – a human-centred design methodology which considers the needs, wants and challenges experienced by end users.

Aurecon has since engaged Ability Works employees with a disability to input into their designs, through Ability Works' newly-created Inclusive Design Business Unit. This has improved the usability and accessibility of some of Aurecon’s major infrastructure projects, while growing the income and confidence of these workers. 

Join us in hearing from Sue Boyce, CEO Ability Works; and Paul Ashby, Service Group Leader, Land and Water, South Australia and Victoria at Aurecon; as they take us through their journey, its ups and downs, and what's next; as they put their stamp on creating a better, more empowered future workforce. 

This Workforce of the Future webinar forms part of the Shared Value Project's new Speaker Series. The series will explore topical conversations related to purpose and business, leveraging the expertise within the shared value community. You can find a list of all our other events here. 

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Speakers

Sue Boyce, CEO, Ability Works

Ability Works is a certified social enterprise providing employment to 180 members of the community with a disability and those experiencing social disadvantage. Its social mission is to “provide purpose, pride, belonging and social connections through inclusive employment”. Operating in Kew, Melbourne, Ability Works employees produce goods and services for government and business. Employees are supported to develop skills in manufacturing (wire and metal fabrication); Records scanning and management; Packing and assembly of products, and Inclusive Design Consulting services.   

Customers include Transurban, the Department of Defence, The Aurecon Group, Victoria Racing Club, RSL Victoria, Good Friday Appeal, infrastructure corporates and many more. Sue’s experience spans 10 years in public health roles which included 2 years as nutritionist with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Quetta, Pakistan; 25 years with commercial organisations such as Nestle, Merck and co-founder and Managing Director, of TMG, an integrated marketing services firm built from a green fields operation to a $20 million turnover. Prior to being CEO at Ability Works, Sue was General Manager, for Fundraising & Community Engagement at prominent Australian mental health organisation beyondblue.  

Paul Ashby, Service Group Leader, Land and Water, South Australia and Victoria, Aurecon

Paul is Aurecon’s Land & Water Leader for VIC/SA. He has recently joined the Infrastructure Unit after leading the operations for Aurecon’s Global Asset Management Group and as Advisory Leader for Victoria and South Australia, incorporating 150 staff across the sub-units of Telecommunications Infrastructure, Planning and Urban Design, Project and Programme Management, Asset Management and Infrastructure Advisory. As part of Paul’s current role. Paul has also been involved in the tendering, planning and organisation of many recent key infrastructure projects across the Victoria Transport portfolio. Paul brings his strong leadership skills to help develop, execute and deliver for our clients plans and projects.