Inclusion Alberta’s Rotary Employment Partnership is creating life-changing job opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities while providing an untapped labour market to Alberta’s business community. The partnership has created over 900 jobs to date in diverse fields such as trades, hospitality, manufacturing, childcare, culinary, the arts and office administration. Real work for real pay.

Billy, an Arts and Sciences student at NorQuest College who is supported by Inclusion Alberta’s Inclusive Post-Secondary Education initiative, spent the summer working as a Gardening Assistant at the St. Albert Grain Elevator Park. A lifelong nature and wildlife enthusiast, Billy says that this summer job has been a great way for him to contribute his passion and expertise to the community he grew up in.

Billy’s expertise and care in tending to the site’s community garden plots resulted in over 300lbs of harvested produce being donated by the end of the season! In addition to his gardening duties, Billy also spends time at the reception desk where he greets and directs guests and had the opportunity to share his passion and interest in birds by leading several interactive public bird tours.

As Billy now shift his focus to his second year of studies in Art and Science at NorQuest College, he looks forward to returning to his position at the St. Albert Grain Elevator next summer.

Join inclusive businesses like the St. Albert Grain Elevator to take action to open doors, build inclusive workforces, and tap into an often-overlooked talent pool. Learn more about how you can tap into a valuable labour market by becoming an inclusive employer through the Rotary Employment Partnership.