Enterprise and Training Company (ETC) has announced ISS as Employer of the Year for its work during 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As one of Australia’s largest facility services companies, ISS works with several Job Active providers, such as ETC, to give opportunities to connect disadvantaged job seekers with viable employment.

Some of these vulnerable groups include the long-term unemployed, Indigenous, people with a disability and refugees.

During the pandemic, ISS experienced significant growth in the demand for its professional cleaning services.

Sarah Larson, national recruitment manager, ISS, said during COVID-19, ISS frontline team played a huge role in cleaning and sanitising schools, hospitals, airports and outdoor community areas around the country to assist in keeping people safe.

ISS partnered with employment and training provider ETC to assist them in finding more than 100 suitable staff during 2020 for cleaning, and customer service roles throughout the Gold Coast and northern NSW regions.

“ETC welcomed the ISS Recruitment team into their facilities to run large group interview sessions at short notice. They screened candidates prior to our visit, to ensure those attending the session met the minimum criteria we needed for our vacancies, and prepared their clients for the interview process, resulting in a successful outcome of employment placements with ISS.

“They also worked with all the successful candidates to obtain necessary compliances in time for the job commencement date.”

Among the many unemployed people who secured work with ISS during COVID-19 was Warren Cady.Cady was a car detailer for 10 years but after an accident he had to give up work and became homeless for a year and a half.

“I broke my shoulder and lost my job all in a matter of weeks, which then resulted in me becoming homeless,” Cady said.

“I accessed my super early so that I could buy myself a car and spent so much time and money just driving around trying to find safe places to sleep at night.”

Warren was eventually referred to ETC for support where he accessed counselling services, and training. In April 2020, ETC put Cady forward for a cleaning job with ISS where he continues to work today.

“ETC saw the potential in me and brought it out, which helped me get a job.”

Larson said she was equally proud of Cady for accepting the job and the ISS team for hiring him based on his positive attitude.

“At ISS we hire for attitude and train for success. We pride ourselves on giving all individuals an opportunity to join our team. If they have the passion and willingness to work, we encourage them to apply for our vacancies,” Larson said.

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