HM Gem Engines managing director Bruce Parker with South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance president Lyndon Joss, congratulating Mr Parker on HM Gem Engines’ Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Award.– Shaun Inguanzo
A DANDENONG business has won a national award for its consistent and long-term efforts in employing people with disabilities.
HM Gem Engines, of Dandenong South, last week collected a 2005 Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Award for its 27 years of employing people with disabilities.
HM Gem Engines has been operating in Dandenong South for 35 years, according to managing director Bruce Parker. He said the business, which re-manufactures a variety of engines, has had a firm policy in employing people with disabilities.
“We have a policy for offering every non-skilled job opportunity to persons with a disability initially,” he said. “We work closely with Dandenong Valley Job Support (agency).”
Mr Parker said about 10 per cent of the 300-strong workforce were disabled and he held them in high regard.
“They are excellent, I can’t talk highly enough about their attitudes and commitment to their jobs, because the bottom line is that they really want their jobs,” he said.
Mr Parker said HM Gem Engines ensured employees with a disability were paid the same amount as those without.
