Work Counts

Why are relationships so important when engaging with employers?

How can the "three cups of tea" approach help employment specialists?

That's where our Three Cups of Tea workshop comes in!

In IPS employment support, this is key to creating meaningful opportunities for people with lived experience of health challenges. By prioritising trust, understanding and respect, you’ll learn how to strengthen partnerships with employers and educational providers alike.

This is increasingly evident when we're experiencing a tough labour market for people seeking work opportunities.

Check out our workshop dates for the new year - starting in Rotorua with Three Cups of Tea!

In our Three Cups of Tea training, we talk about the importance of employer engagement - how to build a strong relationship and maintain it. Like any relationship, our hope is that both sides benefit from working together so that it's an enjoyable and productive experience!

IPS Implementation Manager Robert Williams shared some great reflections from a recent chat with an employer, such as:
- Employer engagement is valuable even when it doesn’t result in a job
- Positive conversations build trust and future opportunities
- Employers show care and understanding when they take time to consider requests
- Persistence is essential - IPS employment support is about long-term relationship-building, not just immediate placements
- Every interaction contributes to inclusion by normalising conversations about giving people a second chance.

Did you know that the Work Counts IPS Toolkit also has information for employers? Click on the link to view our information sheet:

The IPS approach for employers - Work Counts Gain an understanding of how partnering with a provider who offers an IPS employment...

Rob has just finished two days of delivering our 'From Assessment to Action' and 'Three Cups of Tea' workshops in Waihōpai Invercargill, with attendees from APM, Work Opportunities, Choices NZ (IHC New Zealand), Whanake House and Ministry of Social Development NZ.

"I got to hear of some great success stories and experiences from the local employment support providers and even had some out-of-towners from Dunedin join us too. Appreciate you guys making the trip down! I hope you found these workshops helpful to your ongoing mahi."

Thank you again to all who were able to make it, South Alive Invercargill for use of the colourful venue, and Koha Kai for the awesome catering across both days.

If you would like Work Counts to come to your area, please reach out! We can offer our foundational workshops in the IPS approach, or even design bespoke training for your organisation or team.

Visit our website and check out the next round of Work Counts workshops coming up in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtautahi Christchurch in October (see link in comments).

Calling all practitioners and providers in the Southland region!

Work Counts looks forward to coming to Southland in August - our first time to deliver workshops in Waihōpai Invercargill! If you're a practitioner or provider, we warmly invite you to register for one (or both) of the trainings on offer.

Three Cups of Tea (26 August) is about increasing engagement and confidence with employers - and it's one of our most in demand workshops. In the current labour market, relationships and connection are more important than ever!

From Assessment to Action (27 August) is our new workshop launched earlier this year, based on feedback from providers. This half-day training session is about developing practical expertise in vocational assessments and tailored employment planning.

To find out more and register your place, visit our website (link in comments).

Last month, Work Counts and The People's Project (part of the Wise Group) hosted a special guest from Sweden: Kristina Carlsson Stylianides, a doctoral student at Lund University's School of Social Work. She gave a seminar at Harakeke House in Manukau.

It was great to hear about Kristina's research in person - and bring together mental health, housing and employment support representatives in the same room!

As part of her research, Kristina is investigating Housing First and IPS in various municipalities in Sweden.

Read more on our website (link in comments).