Koroipita residents join Aspen program

EIGHT residents from Koroipita Model Town in Lautoka have a chance to earn a better livelihood through employment opportunities with Aspen Medical.

The Australian company which manages the Lautoka and Ba hospitals employed the eight Fijians through their commitment to employ a 20 per cent non-clinical workforce for individuals with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Aspen Medical Fiji CEO Annette Owttrim said the eight residents had been employed at Lautoka Hospital since April.

“We are committed to providing employment to people with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds,” she said.

This is our first lot of recruits from Koroipita and they have become exceptional members of our team.

“Aspen Medical will continue to work with our communities to provide an opportunity for employment. It has been a joy to watch their journey and we hope to touch many more lives through this initiative.”

She said their new recruits were employed as Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) attendants at Lautoka Hospital.

Model Towns Charitable Trust general manager Paul Forrest said they were happy to be part of the partnership that aligned with their overarching goal of providing pathways for disadvantaged families to advance into mainstream jobs and housing.

“We are achieving this through our dynamic and inclusive community development programs and partnerships,” he said.

“The employment pathway created by Aspen Medical is one of the first of its kind in Fiji and is setting a benchmark for an empathic and socially inclusive work environment. The eight residents from Koroipita started their employment as technical attendants on April 25.

“The group consists of seven women, six of whom are single mothers and a young man. Three people in the group have physical disabilities, and yet despite this they are fulfilling their tasks.”