Since opening Ipswich Brew Co. in 2015, owner Mal has grown the business from strength to strength. Offering supplies and expert advice to brewing enthusiasts, the unique small business also provide everything one would need to start their own cheese and sausage making.
Video transcript
[Malcolm West, owner, Ipswich Brew Co.]
The Back to Work program is very valuable. For us, here, it gives us a chance to employ somebody, get the support and the back up we need to train them to get them up to a standard. And it's also very beneficial for the for the employee because they get a job and they get the training, for their future.
So the industry is home brewing. It's basically we sell supplies for people to come and buy the supplies, take it home and make their own drinks.
The funding has been used to subsidise the training and the time it takes to get Jacob up to to standard. Jacob's role is to help support the retail side of the business by doing packaging, filling shelves, cleaning work, all things like that.
[Jacob Mills, employee, Ipswich Brew Co.]
It was hard to try to find a job that I would think I would actually be able to do and stick with it.
What I like most about working at the Ipswich Brew Co., working with great minded people and learning new skills.
My advice to people is don't give up. It might seem hard, you might need to take a break from things, but always get back into it.
[Malcolm West]
I think the program could benefit other businesses. Exactly how it has benefited ours, in that it does support for a period of time the training needed to get staff up to scratch.
The Queensland Government and the Back to Work program for what they do, it's really good support and great for business and great for people who are looking for work.
[Jacob Mills]
I like to thank the Queensland Government and especially the Back to Work program for allowing me to have this opportunity to find employment and keep it.
Jacob's story
Back to Work funding has given Mal the confidence to employ Jacob, who was eligible to receive up to $11,250 in funding for the business. Jacob identifies as having disability and had experienced a long-term period of unemployment. Mal was already sold on Jacob's enthusiasm alone, and the support of the Back to Work incentive payments meant he could hire Jacob without added financial strain on the business.
Mal said 'The Back to Work program gave us the financial space to allow time for training and to get to know each other. Jacob was prepared to have a go and the funding allowed us to make adaptations in the workplace to help Jacob in his role'.
Workplace inclusion and diversity is a key element in creating a sense of belonging, connection and engagement for each employee in the workplace. A united, diverse workplace improves the employee experience and helps employers retain staff.
Mal said 'Jacob is going well. He is inquisitive, has a great sense of humour and has been a great fit for the business, as well as the team. When Jacob first started, he would get dropped off to work, now his confidence has improved he is catching the bus and is starting to interact with customers'.
Before being hired by Ipswich Brew Co., Jacob had been looking for work for 5 years. As his first job, Jacob's initial duties included cleaning and packaging, but with his love of learning, Jacob has now started helping out on the brewing side of things as well.
'I like doing different jobs, having more money, being independent and being myself', Jacob said.
Training and support through the Back to Work program
Mal said they would not have been able to train and support Jacob without the Back to Work program. He praised the local team who guided him through the process and is now exploring some of the other wrap-around supports available to help him further support Jacob and his retention, including up to $2,000 funded through the Small Business Support Pool.
Another wrap-around support includes the free, online small business short courses, which provide business owners and their staff with the practical skills and knowledge to foster retention in the workforce. The 'Communicating effectively with people with disability' course provides guidance on the diverse needs of people with disability, tips on how to communicate with people with disability and further support and resources for working with people with disability.
Advice for other small business owners
Mal would strongly encourage other small business owners to give diverse people a go and to feel assured that the Queensland Government's Back to Work program can support you in doing so.
More information
Learn more about the Back to Work program.
Last updated 4 November 2024
