34 | Dunedin: Cargill Enterprises T T Rosa Watson Life-changing employment at Cargills While providing employment was the key component of its work, social connection was the primary reason and focus of the organisation, says CEO Geoff Kemp. “The major difference is that open market businesses seek people to fulfil work needs, whereas Cargills seeks work to fulfil people’s needs.“ REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT For more than 60 years, a Dunedin social enterprise has been providing meaningful work for people with intellectual disabilities, while also providing quality services for the local community. Cargills Enterprises was established in 1960 as a community centre for people with disabilities. While providing employment was the key component of its work, social connection was the primary reason and focus of the organisation, CEO Geoff Kemp tell Business South. Over time, it grew into a not-for-profit, people-centred business enterprise with a special-character workplace that currently has 75 employees engaged in meaningful work. This empowers them to live purposeful lives through employment, education and friendships, Geoff said. “The major difference is that open market businesses seek people to fulfil work needs, whereas Cargills seeks work to fulfil people’s needs. “All revenue goes back into promoting the well-being of our employees.” Five years ago, Cargills established the Cargill Academy to build literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy. Staff undergo specific training programs via the academy and on the job to ensure competency when operating machinery and staying well. Cargills is also a founding member of Aotearoa Disability Enterprises (ADE), which consists of 12 organisations that collectively employ 900 people throughout New Zealand. ADE advocates for neurodiverse people seeking employment as a component of their good life. Production is set up to allow individuals to work at their own pace and capability. There are three divisions within the workplace; timberworks where pallets boxes and crates are manufactured as well as retail items such as outdoor furniture, raised gardens, compost bins and dog kennels, packaging and manufacturing with assembley packing and dispatch services, and recycling e-waste at the end of its life. Some contract tenders are made nationally under the ADE collective banner, but mainly, work is quoted locally, Geoff said. A highlight of the organsation was Cargill Academy, Geoff said. “The opportunity to provide workplace literacy and numeracy education to our neurodiverse staff has been one of the most significant and life-changing initiatives in the history of our organisation.” Each year, student achievement is celebrated with a special awards ceremony evening. It is now a registered Tertiary education organisation (TEO) with tutors delivering units from pre Level 1 NCEA and up to Level 3 via the Skills Highway Programme. Cargill’s motto is “because everyone matters”, which stands at the heart of its operation. “We believe that employment is critical to the flourishing of all people as it provides connection, productivity, a sense of purpose, contribution, and belonging.” For customers, Cargills provides quality products and business services at competitive prices and on time, Geoff said. “Customers have the opportunity to partner with Cargills to support our employees by Innovating an industry from right here in Dunedin. escea.com Proud to support Cargill Enterprises. Thank you for your support Thomas, Label Expert For more information willandable.co.nz New Zealand’s only range of eco-friendly cleaning products creating jobs for Kiwi’s with disabilities Will & Able gives meaning to cleaning We are on a mission to create 100 new jobs for Kiwi’s with disabilities and make earth-friendly cleaning products you all love.
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