Workforce Diversification at Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre

Research confirms that workplace personnel – whether paid or volunteer – are the main enabler, or barrier, to the inclusion of people in leisure and recreation.  

People have the ability to create safe, welcoming, supportive and inclusive environments for ALL to participate, but the opposite can also occur if our people do not feel confident or capable to engage and connect with all members of the community.

Belgravia Foundation and Belgravia Leisure have committed to the diversification of its workforce to better support local employment that leads to a workforce that better reflects community diversity.

This is exemplified through Anette Kellerman Aquatic Centre (AKAC) collaboration with Jobsupport, a leading employment services organisation in Australia for people with intellectual disabilities.

AKAC partnership with Jobsupport started early in 2021, with the centre being a  proud advocate of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and its workplace diversification project is a testament to this commitment.

Belgravia Leisure has recruited several employees through Jobsupport across the organisation. Ethan  Lawrence was recruited at AKAC into the position of maintenance worker. Ethan underwent a thorough training that was supported by Jobsupport in alignment with AKAC’s workplace requirements. Ethan proudly explains how he loves to work hard! “I clean the bathrooms and toilets, I mop and sweep the venue, gerni the pool deck as well as clean the gym. That’s one of my favourite parts of my job because I love listening to good music while I work.”

The Belgravia Foundation is particularly pleased that the collaboration with Jobsupport and AKAC is providing employment pathways for people with a disability into the leisure sector. We also urge employers in this industry to actively look for opportunities to recruit people of diversity based on your community profile.