FROM finance to equine industries, manager at Nova Employment Rouse Hill, Bernie Davey, has experienced a lot of different work situations.
It is this diversity that helps him in his current role.
"No two days are the same and I never know what's going to happen from day to day," he said.
"We can be working side by side with people in a factory, in a retail scenario, or in a club, or we could be mowing lawns with people.
"It depends on the person's disability and the level of support they need.
"We'll provide support on whatever level is required.
"That could be one-on-one on the work site or it could be emotional support in the background, keeping in touch with the job-seekers, making sure everything is OK.
"And support is not only there for our clients, it's for the employers as well, to make it easier for them to employ somebody with a disability and experience all of the benefits they gain from giving somebody that opportunity."
Mr Davey came to Nova Employment as a client in 2009 and was offered a job as a client services manager with the non-profit organisation based on his unique set of skills and experience.
Six months later he became manger of the Rouse Hill office.
"I obviously had a lot of experience in the corporate world, and had a lot of personal and family experience of people with a disability," he said.
"My wife has a physical disability and I have experienced mental health issues in the past.
"So by the time we came to Nova I was already well versed in disabilities and where to find the right support networks, how to deal with government agencies, and the types of things people with a disability experience on a day-to-day basis."
Mr Davey said he enjoyed the role.
"I thought maybe this is my chance to give something back to the people who have helped and supported me," he said.
"Nova doesn't take a lot of their clients on, but they obviously saw in me qualities that were going to be of benefit, not only to the clients, but to Nova.
"I was pleased with that and I haven't regretted the decision."
Mr Davey spent 20 years in the banking and finance industry before becoming a qualified equine nurse and working at horse studs.
He has also worked in factories and warehouses, as a builder's labourer and in hotel management.
"A lot of us take [work] for granted because we've never been put in a situation where we've been out of work for any great time," he said.
"Or we haven't experienced an accident or a period of illness that puts us out of work for a considerable amount of time.
"It not only puts pressure on the individual, it affects the whole family.
"I get a great sense of satisfaction from assisting people into employment and helping them achieve and realise their dreams.
"They can reap all the benefits of getting a regular income and feeling they have a right to have a say in the community now they are working.
"It's a very rewarding job."
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