Susan Worrall nominated for Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator achievement

Maxima Group’s rehabilitation and return to work coordinator Susan Worrall is committed to finding solutions for young injured workers in the labour hire industry. Over the last year she has worked with 10 young people and their parents, eight of whom have recovered and returned to work, and another two who are still in the recovery phase.

Maxima Group is host employer to many apprentices who are generally in the labour hire industry, and has good connections with large and small businesses.

Once a workplace injury occurs, Susan usually meets with the injured worker (and their parents for those under 18 years) within a day of the incident occurring. At the meeting she explains the workers compensation process to the worker (and their parents) and how she will guide them through it.

Accommodating an injured worker’s capacity in a host employer environment can be challenging. Working to understand the needs of the host and the worker are integral to a successful return to work outcome.

An example of this is an apprentice mechanic who had surgery on his wrist and was unable to perform many of his regular tasks. Susan worked with the host employer, negotiating modified duties for the injured worker who returned to the employer to train as a service advisor. In this way the injured worker was kept at work and busy learning new skills while he built his capacity to return to his role as an apprentice mechanic. This was meaningful to both the injured worker and his host employer as he was now able to be a relief service advisor when required.

Susan conducts regular risk assessments of workplaces to ensure host employers and apprentices are aware of the need for safe work practices. Regular assessments have reduced the number of incidents and Susan has nurtured a culture of return to work with her placement consultants, host employers and apprentices, helping to find alternative duties for injured workers.

In another example Susan was able to negotiate on behalf of a school-based apprentice who injured his lower back. By working with the host employer, the injured worker and the school VET coordinator, they found a solution that involved adjusting the height of benches and trolleys so the load on the injured worker’s back was relieved and he continued with the traineeship and went on to complete his SACE certificate.

By using a collaborative approach and thinking beyond initial barriers, Susan has been able to achieve real results in this high-risk industry. Effective Australia’s Chief Executive Officer George Hallwood says, “Sue works closely with key stakeholders to ensure rehabilitation strategies remain open, transparent and effective. Ongoing communication and collaboration are significant factors in Susan’s success”.

Two exceptional young people become regional finalists in QLD awards.

Monday, June 27

Two Maxima trainees, Elise Verschuuren and Cody Kerr, are regional finalists in the Queensland Training Awards.

Cody Kerr, who is competing for the title Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, completed his in Cert IV in Information Technology (Multimedia) during December 2010 whilst hosted with Auto Electrics Australia. He excelled in his work and his host company offered him a full time position as IT administrator and graphic designer. He has also registered his own business called Royal Graphics.

Elise Verschuuren completed her Certicate III in Business last year during November 2010 while also studying for a Bachelor of Education. Elise approached Maxima in June 2009 unsure about what she wanted to do when she completed school and looking for a role that would challenge her. A suitable position was secured with Logan City Council, where she continues on a contract basis in a job she loves, working with the recruitment team.

Elise was nominated as Trainee of the Year.

The regional final will be held at Jupiters on the Gold Coast on Saturday, 23 July 2011 and all the staff at Maxima wish them the best.

Mr David Cockram announced as the Maxima Group’s new CEO

Monday, May 30

The Board of the Maxima Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr David Cockram as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer.

“Many people in the sector have been aware that David has been acting in the CEO role for some months now while Janice Paget is on leave prior to her retirement in July this year,” said Chairman of the Maxima Group, Mr Wally Iaisello.

“The Board considered this important appointment very carefully,” he said.

“The Board engaged Mr Darral Roberts from ExecSearch Consulting Services to assist it in implementing a rigorous recruitment and selection process.”

“David applied and competed for the position against a range of highly skilled, experienced candidates from within South Australia and interstate. At the conclusion of the process, the Board unanimously accepted ExecSearch’s recommendation that David be offered the position,” said Mr Iaisello.

Mr Iaisello thanked his fellow directors, Mr Steve Tonkin and Mr John Schumann for their work with him on the Board’s selection sub-committee.

“The Board looks very much look forward to working with David and we are confident that David’s leadership ability, strategic focus and vision will take Maxima forward to an exciting, new future,” Mr Iaisello concluded.

Maxima sponsors 'positive impact' programs for 'youth at risk' conducted by Operations Flinders

Operation Flinders Foundation is a South Australian based charitable organisation that runs a world leading wilderness adventure program for young people at risk.

Maxima is pleased to confirm sponsorship of this unique and rewarding program for an additional 4 programs to be rolled out throughout 2011-12.

These programs take participants between the age of 14 and 18 years on an eight day exercise in the far northern Flinders Ranges, with the aim to develop personal attitudes of self esteem, leadership, motivation, team work and responsibility. Unlike other aspects of these participants lives, there is not an opportunity to 'opt out'. The outcomes from these programs have been nationally recognised and proved life changing for many participants. Maxima is pleased to be supporting this initiative and the positive impact Operation Flinders has on the community.

For more information on Operation Flinders, visit their website www.operationflinders.org.au

National Apprenticeships Program (NAP)

The National Apprenticeships Program (NAP) for the minerals and petroleum resources sectors incorporates the best features of the Advanced Entry Adult Apprenticeship Scheme (AEAAS) within a national framework.

Enterprises will identify their priorities for the trades required; and the numbers of apprentices to be supported. The pilot intake will recruit 1,000 advanced entry adult apprentices for the initial 18 month program. Subsequent intakes will be recruited every 18 months though the life of the Program. Participants will be selected through a robust independent assessment process from the existing workforce within the resources sectors, or as ‘new recruits’ from the general population with the appropriate skills.

Participants will enter the program only after successful RPL assessment for at least 40% of competencies for the specified trades and indentured to a participating GTO in their home State or Territory.

Maxima is pleased to be involved and more information is available at the program's website. Potential apprentices should note that there are a number of pre-condtions and are encouraged read the information on the National Apprenticeship Program website before applying or registering an expression of interest. For further information there is also an extensive FAQ page.

Maxima Graduation and Awards Night 2010

On Wednesday 17th November, Maxima held its annual graduation and awards night at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Each year this annual event recognizes the achievements of students from Maxima’s Training division who have completed their formal studies throughout the year, along with presenting awards to students for excellence in training. Maxima also identifies and acknowledges Australian Apprenticeswho have shown outstanding ability in the workplace in their chosen field.

Awards were presented in the following categories:

• Student of the Year in Business
• Student of the Year in Horticulture
• Overall Student of the Year
• Australian Apprentice of the Year in Business
• Australian Apprentice of the Year in Construction
• Australian Apprentice of the Year in Horticulture
• Australian Apprentice of the Year (Open Category)
• Indigenous Australian Apprentice of the Year
• Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year
• Overall Australian Apprentice of the Year

Award winners:

• Student of the Year in Business
  Awarded to Bianca De Manno - Certificate III in Business
• Student of the Year in Horticulture
  Awarded to Greg Stevens - Certificate III in Horticulture
• Overall Student of the Year
  Awarded to Greg Stevens - Certificate III in Horticulture
• Australian Apprentice of the Year in Business
  Rachel Dolman - Semaphore Library, City of Port Adelaide Enfield
• Australian Apprentice of the Year in Construction
  Christopher Moore - Tiana Joinery Pty Ltd
• Australian Apprentice of the Year in Horticulture
  Adam Conradi - Creative Landscapes
• Australian Apprentice of the Year (Open Category)
  Sophan Kranh - Jarvis Toyota
• Indigenous Australian Apprentice of the Year
  Matthew Rankine - Qantas
• Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year
  Dean Roberts - City of Mitcham
• Overall Australian Apprentice of the Year
  Christopher Moore - Tiana Joinery Pty Ltd

Maxima would like to thank all sponsors for supporting the evening - MEGT, Optus, CMI Toyota, Print Junction, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Reg Burgess Agencies, PKF, Employers Mutual, Web Safety and Maxima Joblink.

Stephanie Ballantine, Janice Paget and Jake Nicholson at the awards night