Central West rally behind supported employees at new Return and Earn depot

The Central West community has rallied around Orange Return and Earn Depot operators Wangarang Industries, helping their supported employees have lifelong careers.

Wangarang Industries is a not-for-profit Australian Disability Enterprise and registered NDIS provider, established to provide a range of jobs, training and support services for people with disabilities in the Central West.

In February 2024, Wangarang Industries joined the Return and Earn network as the proud operators of the Orange Return and Earn Depot.

Wangarang Industries CEO, Kevin McGuire says the depot has created opportunities for supported employees to learn new skills.

“Return and Earn provides opportunities for our supported employees—our people with disabilities—to learn a whole range of new skills, skill that we haven’t been able to provide in our previous operation,” said Mr. McGuire.

Employed at the depot since it opened, Scotty is a supported employee at Wangarang Industries who appreciates the opportunity to interact with customers that working at the depot provides.

Battina O’Callaghan, a Supervisor at Wangarang Industries says Scotty has a love for working and she feels lucky to be able to work with supported employees like Scotty. She has also been thrilled to see the Central West community rally around them.

“We have a lot of farmers coming in with their cans and bottles, and they’re very kind to our supported workers and want to get involved with a new business that is one, helping the planet and two, helping our beautiful, supported employees,” said Ms. O’Callaghan.

“NDIS employment opportunities are so important because every individual needs to have a place. They need to have a great work atmosphere. They need to meet people. They need to go home happy. And I’m one of those people because I go home with a full heart because they want to work every day. I want to help these guys have a lifelong job, and that is what we’re all about here,” she added.