Workpower has had a strategy to develop social enterprise opportunities since 2005.
For us, it’s about diversity of employment opportunities for people with disability and people with mental illness.

Operates:
• Workpower Asset – a fire equipment servicing enterprise
• Workpower Media – a web development enterprise
• EMS – a group of enterprises operating in horticulture and land management
• 1905 – Coffee on Newcastle – a retail café and catering business
Previously operated:
• Workpower Detailing
• MPower

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• Meets the purpose of the organisation
Provides employment opportunities for people with disability and people with mental illness
• Increases choice and options available to people
• Financially viable
Must generate a surplus within two years of operating
•
• Integrated workforce
Employs people with an employment disadvantage alongside industry professionals

Collectively, Workpower’s social firms:
• Employ 130 people, of whom 75 have an employment disadvantage
• In 7 locations across Perth and Mandurah
• Generate approximately $6.5 million in revenue
• Produce $500k surplus, which goes back into supporting Workpower operations

• Commenced in 1993 propagating wetland plants for revegetation projects
• Expanded to include WA native plants in 1998
• Added land management services in 2004 and property maintenance in 2006
• 1993 – operated as an ADE, reliant on Government funding
• From 1997, Workpower converted to a social firm model, integrating the workforce, growing sales revenue and reducing reliance on Government funding
• Currently employs 70 staff, 55% of people have a disability or mental illness
• Today, Government funding is 8% of total revenues of
$4 million

• Commenced in 2008 when Workpower acquired ‘Peel
Contracting’
• 1 business line was fire equipment servicing
• Workpower expanded this part of the business, securing long term contracts with Government and industry
• In 2010, Workpower merged an existing ADE into the business to develop an integrated workforce model and increase employment opportunities available to people with disability
• Currently employs 35 people, 70% of whom have a disability
• In 2012/13, the business revenue is forecast to be $2 million with funding levels at 12.5%

• Commenced by ICIDO Pty Ltd as a funded pilot project to explore employment for people with disability in the web development industry
• Workpower partnered with ICIDO to support individuals and took over operations in 2012
• The business will break even in its first year with
Workpower this year and is forecast to make a small surplus in the coming year
• The business employs 4 industry staff working along side 10 people with a disability
• The business receives no recurrent funding

• Workpower’s newest venture in its 8 th month of operation
• Commenced initially in partnership with Foundation
Housing
• The business model is to establish a café/catering enterprise that employs people with employment disadvantage from social housing
• Support from Government and private enterprise has been strong and we expect to generate a small surplus from May 
• The business currently employs 6 people.

Purpose ?
Does the venture or idea meet the organisation's purpose? How many people will benefit?
Values ?
Do key partners share your values?
Economics ?
Resources ?
Will the venture be viable and sustainable? By when?
Do you have the money and the people to pull this off right now?

Business Plan
• Do your market research and due diligence
• Understand your costs
•
Have an exit strategy
Resourcing
• Engage or buy in industry expertise
• Provide training
• Harness the resources of your organisation and networks
Processes
• Set up business systems and processes before you trade

Supports
Have training and support structures in place for the target employee group
Partnerships
Choose your partners carefully
Knowledge
Use industry experts to help you design your business
Integrate
Employ trade professionals to work along side and teach your target workforce

lee.broomhall@workpower.asn.au

Tom Tolchard: Future Proof Consulting

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