About Us
The South Waikato Achievement Trust provides to people with disabilities, personal and work skill training, employment skills, arts and crafts activities, community orientated programmes, high needs support and residential services.
We are registered as a Not for Profit organisation and as a Charitable Trust. We comply with all MSD, MOH, Occupational Health & Safety, Department of Labour, OSH legislation and conform to Human Rights and Privacy laws.
The Centre is funded through the Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of health provide for approximately 66% of our total funding needs. The balance is funded by the profits that the Centre receives from the business units.
Around 100 clients and employees work at the South Waikato Achievement Trust. All the employees are paid based on their assessed productivity and competency abilities. An annual assessment programme ensures that as the employees’ abilities grow, so will their remuneration. There is a great sense of pride for disabled persons in receiving their weekly wage packet.
Applying for a position at the South Waikato Achievement Trust is subject to available spaces at the Centre
Importantly, when a person enters the Centre, normally accompanied by their Caregiver they are invited to take part in:
- A conducted tour of the premises
- meeting staff members
- together discuss the options available and the personal plan development strategy.
The options that can be discussed are : - high needs
- Community Participation programmes
- Creative Arts
- Business Unit employment
- Caregivers are invited to complete an application form
HISTORY
The Trust was founded and developed by the local community and allied business people in 1972. Since that time, the organisation has developed from a small service supporting people in the South Waikato region to now offering a wide range of programmes through business units and our Community Participation and Creative Arts Units. It is based on a personal optimistic philosophy that it is possible to harness professional skills and knowledge with community resources and goodwill to provide a people centred service, where everyone benefits. "Personal growth, self esteem and respect results when people are able to be contributing members of their local communities".Governance is provided by an elected Board of Trustees, consisting of representatives of the business community, and people with vested interests. Since December 2007 the South Waikato Achievement Trust has worked under the Minimum Wage Rate Exception Policy introduced by Government and monitored by the Department of Labour. This means that all disabled people will receive a fair day’s ‘pay’ for a fair day’s work. An assessment process provides a very accurate productivity and competency assessment and is reviewed yearly. There is a positive approach to all activities and staff believing that :
"Every Challenge is an Opportunity"
PRINCIPLES OF BEST BUSINESS PRACTICE
All activities within the organisation are based on the following principles:The vocational needs of disabled people are paramount.
- 1.Clients of the service and stakeholders are engaged in the planning processes and continuous improvement of the services.
- 2.The organisation's values base respects all people as of right.
- 3.We will provide the best possible vocational and life skills opportunities, supported by up-to-date information.
- 4."Clients come first"
- 5.Clients are encouraged to be contributing valued members of their communities.
- 6.We provide safe and supportive environments that encourage physical, emotional and spiritual well being and development.
- 7.The South Waikato Achievement Trust is a "learning" organisation.
- 8.Local communities are actively engaged in the provision of services.
- 9.We are a community business with social responsibility that provides a variety of services.