In a Nutshell, Workwise Employment Agency helps people with experience of mental illness to choose, get, and keep jobs.

In the Beginning, Workwise Employment Agency was founded in response to requests from mental health service users who simply wanted support to access real work with real pay. The agency then gained momentum through the development of an innovative partnership with Work and Income New Zealand and District Health Boards. Workwise currently provides services to hundreds of people throughout the country.

Workwise Employment Agency is a registered company with charitable status and now operates in seven New Zealand regions; Waikato, Hauraki, Rotorua, Taranaki, South and Central Auckland, Hawkes Bay and Christchurch. 

Real Work. Real Pay. Workwise believes that the best place to learn work skills is on the job. While programs that support people to become work ready are valuable, the role of Workwise Employment Agency is to support people directly into the open labour market. Workwise consultants help people to secure real work, with real pay by encouraging job seekers to explore their work passions and career dreams. It's not about any job its about the right job for the person.

Why Workwise? People with experience of mental illness can face significant barriers to employment.

Employment obstacles include:

• Gaps in employment history
• Limited employment experience
• Lack of confidence
• Fear and anxiety
• Workplace discrimination.

Worldwide statistics indicate that between 70 and 90% of people who have experienced significant mental illness are unemployed.

Employment is an important part of good mental health; for many people working is fundamental to living a rich and fulfilling life. The role of Workwise Employment Agency is to help people build the skills, confidence and resilience to become valued members of the workforce.

Interested and want to know more about the relationship between employment and mental health? Use the following links to find research, resources and information.

www.asenz.org.nz
The Association of Supported Employment in New Zealand.

www.apse.org
The American Association for Persons in Supported Employment.

www.worksupport.com
Information, resources and research about work and disability issues.

Passionate People. Great Results. Workwise employment consultants are incredibly passionate about what they do and pride themselves on getting results.

Hundreds of people have chosen Workwise to assist them in choosing, getting and keeping a job. In an evaluation of the Reach Programme (2003), 74.3% of Job Seekers found employment within a year.  

Here’s what others have to say about Workwise…
 
“…Within three weeks I had part time work which I absolutely love and am still presently working there for the last two years… I cannot thank Workwise enough for the travel support for months and working on my confidence and self esteem…”
Job Seeker

“…a good way to get your foot in the door with employers. It is good to have the support that you need and is beneficial to know somebody that has the access and knowledge on how the system works.”
Job Seeker

“Easy contact, great people, and every customer referred is in work or training”
Work and Income New Zealand Invalids Benefit Case Manager

“This program provides a consumer focussed, appropriate rehabilitative move towards real value employment”
Mental Health Worker