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Josh Potts

    A team approach works for everyone

    Take a committed young man confined to a wheel chair, three companies working together and what do you get? - Winners all round.

  1. The man

    In 2001 Josh Potts was a young man, and like many others at the completion of year 12 was looking forward to making choices about a future, in Josh's case entering the Defense Force or going to Uni to study Economics. Life changed for Josh in 2002 when he was involved in a motorcycle accident which left him paralised and after 6 months in hospital and 6 months of rehab Josh was wheelchair bound. Leading up to 2007 Josh regained some of his confidence do part time study at Uni and working with the Glenochy Youth Task Force before being referred to CRS Australia.

  2. The team of companies

    CRS Australia as part of the Australian Government Department of Human Services provides employment and assessment support for people with disabilities. Work & Training, as a Group employer had a need for a Business Administration Trainee to be hosted at MyState Financial, Tasmania' largest financial institution.

  3. What was the outcome?

    Extract from the Tasmanian Business Reporter (October 2011) - "They (CRS Australia) then assisted me to apply for a business administration traineeship through Work & Training" Josh said "This was the first job I ever applied for - and I got it" ... "From the initial interview that I conducted at Work & Training with Josh he displayed the employability skills needed to be employed by Work & Training and hosted to MyState Financial" said Kylie Petryk who is a Work & Training consultant... CRS undertook a worplace assessment to ensure that Josh's workstation was setup to meet his requirements which resulted in the provision of a specialised seat and some minor adjustments. This service and the modifications were provided free to MyState. "Many employers don't realise that many of the costs of making modifications in a workplace for an employee with disability can be government-funded through the Job Access Workplace Modification Scheme" said Meg Pritchard, acting CRS regional manager... "When I first started at MyState I was worried that people would see the wheelcahir and not treat me the same as evryone else" Josh said "I didn't want any special favours." However Josh's fears did not eventuate. "I don't see the wheelchair and I don't think anyone else does" said MyState team leader Melanie Rottier.