As we get ready to draw the curtains on 2024, it's time to reflect on a remarkable year for Asuria, our participants, practitioners, and partners.
2024 has been a transformative year of innovation, inclusivity, and recognition, underscoring our commitment to increasing the participation of individuals from all walks of life, particularly those from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds, in meaningful and sustainable employment.
The recognition, programs, and awards we’ve been honoured to be a part of this year reflect our unwavering commitment—not just to employment, but to fostering a society that values and uplifts each individual’s potential.
Here's a look back on just some of the things that made 2024 so special.
February: Sharing in success at the Asuria Employer Awards
2024 began with a major feather in Asuria’s cap, with the first-ever Asuria Employer Awards. Held at the prestigious Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, the ceremony celebrated employers, small business owners, and partners who made extraordinary strides in inclusive and innovative hiring practices.
Cripps excelled for their diversity and inclusion impact, while Ventia’s TRECCA initiative received accolades for First Nations excellence.
Though the well-deserved star of the show was the jubilant Lydia Thompson, whose joy in winning the Small Business Start-up award for her business Mowing Motivations, sent ripples of warmth through the room.
April: Empowering the Next Generation - Youth Jobs Fest
April was a significant month for Asuria, with our first Youth Jobs Fest of the year taking place in Ballarat. The bustling event provided a vibrant platform for young Transition to Work participants, aged 15-24, to access a wealth of opportunities designed to support them into their future careers, packed with workshops, networking opportunities, and on-the-spot job interviews.
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The festival also featured advice and wellbeing spaces, offering services like art therapy and styling tips for job interviews, providing holistic support to job seekers. We were proud to bring this initiative to individuals across Inner Metropolitan Melbourne, South East Melbourne Peninsula, and Sydney Greater West throughout the remainder of the year.
June: Advocates for Ability
June brought commendations for Asuria at the Disability Employment Australia Awards. We shared in the celebrations with our employment partners, NRMA, and participant, Kim Barrett, for their exemplary commitment to reaching their potential.
Winning the genU Training Participant Award marked a significant milestone in the inspiring journey of Disability Employment Services (DES) participant Kim (pictured above, right). From demonstrating remarkable resilience after the tragic loss of her son to achieving her role as a personal care worker with Australian Unity, Kim’s story is one of strength and determination. These awards highlighted the importance of supporting participants on their employment journey and ensuring a workplace that values all its members.
In the same month, Asuria was proud to attend the latest graduation ceremony for the incredibly successful Maritime Operations Program. The event celebrated the hard work and dedication of First Nations participants who demonstrated the skill and determination required to set sail on new career paths on Sydney’s waterways.
July: Hotel Etico stars shine
In a remarkable display of talent and determination, 18 graduates and trainees from Hotel Etico—a pioneering hub for empowering young people with disabilities—stole the spotlight at the World Down Syndrome Congress in July. With Asuria’s dedicated support, these inspiring individuals took on key roles in the restaurant at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre, serving over 500 delegates with exceptional skill and enthusiasm. More than just a job assignment, this event showcased their independence and professionalism, demonstrating the impact of Asuria’s commitment to fostering inclusive opportunities. The trainees left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.
September: Shining a Spotlight on Inclusion
In September, Asuria launched the ground breaking ‘Impact for Inclusion’ initiative. This initiative has fast become a beacon of hope for those who have often found themselves marginalised due to traditional recruitment practices. Through strategic partnerships and curated pathways, ‘Impact for Inclusion’ seeks to dismantle barriers and nurture inclusivity in the workplace, with leading partners already signed up to the pledge including Accommodation Australia and NRMA Marine.
October: Final Open Hiring Event
October brought with it the last of our hugely successful Open Hiring events, with twin Tasmanian events in Hobart and Launceston. Starting out earlier in the year in Ballarat, the events, which also travelled to Broadmeadows, Sydney East Metropolitan, and Sydney Greater West, lead to over 600 job interviews and close to 100 new jobs, job offers, or training commencements, giving people across the country one-to-one access to top employers and training providers.
November: Leading the Way with Diversity Recognition and U Day Euphoria
November saw Asuria being named among Australia’s most inclusive companies by the Diversity Council of Australia. This inclusion in the annual list of Inclusive Employers for 2024-2025 is a testament to our relentless pursuit of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our business, and recognises our unwavering commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
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Also in November, as the year approached its crescendo, Asuria hosted the fourth incarnation of U Day, with the Enterprising Heart Awards ceremony. The awards ceremony honoured individuals and teams that have consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community impact. These awards symbolise Asuria’s spirit of encouraging bold, innovative and heart-led enterprising actions that drive positive change in lives of those we serve.
December: Awards triumph
What better way to round off the year than seeing our participants and practitioners receive the highest of accolades in recognition of a year spent striving to improve their own lives and the lives of others.
Mykola Belo was named Achiever of the Year at the prestigious NESA Awards for Excellence in recognition of his courageous journey from Ukrainian refugee arriving on Australia’s shores determined to start a new life, to starting out on a new construction career with Lendlease.
Asuria’s Esther Garforth was also named Engagement Practitioner of the Year for her innovative approach to revolutionising employer engagement practices across Tasmania.
Being recognised in these prestigious awards underscores Asuria’s relentless commitment to excellence and innovation in employment services, reflecting the dedication of our team and partners in transforming lives through ingenious employment solutions.
Looking ahead to 2025
As we step into 2025, we carry with us the lessons learned and the successes celebrated, fuelled by a renewed commitment to creating more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable pathways in employment.
Reflecting on 2024, we take immense pride in the remarkable journeys of our participants and partners, who have worked alongside us to unlock meaningful opportunities in both employment and education. This year has been a powerful reminder of the strength found in resilience, the impact of empowerment, and the life-changing potential of opportunity.
Together, we’ve not only opened doors but built bridges to futures where inclusivity and diversity are not just ideals—but lived realities. With every step of the journey, hope has grown stronger, and lives have been transformed.
We can’t wait to continue this incredible journey with you in 2025!
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