Jo is all go with first paid job

The Manjimup workforce has gained one more dedicated employee after Jo Butler found herself in her first paid job. Ms Butler lives with a disability and after years of volunteering at stock feeds, the local Vinnies and the community garden, she was recently employed by Coles. Ms Butler, 29, said the paid position gave her far more freedom than she was accustomed to. “This allows me to have my own spending money, as I love to go out for morning tea and can pay my own way,” she said. “I also love to go shopping at local stores in my community. “Now I can buy presents for my family at birthdays, Christmas and Easter.” Ms Butler was urged by her social workers Evelyn Hughes and Kathy Carley to start looking for work if she wished to gain further independence within the community. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics as of 2018, roughly 2.1 million Australians were of working age and living with either a physical or mental disability. Of this demographic about 60 per cent were unemployed and actively looking for work. Forest Personnel chief executive Anna Bagshaw said hiring people with disabilities could potentially help WA with its worker shortage. Forest Personnel is a recruitment organisation which specialises in helping those with disabilities, illnesses or injuries in finding and keeping work.