Matthew Goodman, Adam Barwick and Terry Frost have added a forklift licence to their resumes, which are continuing to grow thanks to their work with the Armidale-based disability employment service.   

Ascent business manager Kerrie Sauer said the course was extremely beneficial to the three workers.

“They did a whole heap of theory and practical work,” Ms Sauer said.

“It was all part of their training programs – they each said in their programs that they wanted to get their forklift licence.”

The cost of training used to be covered by the state government.

Thankfully, Armidale Central Rotary Club were able to step in, chipping in more than $5000 to pay for the training.Ascent group volunteer and Rotarian Ken Gilbert said it the club’s pleasure to help the three Ascent workers improve their employment prospects.

“Our club has a very special relationship with the Ascent Group,” Mr Gilbert said.

“We have a member come to one our meetings every Thursday and it’s going great. It’s great for the Ascent Group, but it’s better for our members because it challenges perceptions of what a disability is.”

Ms Sauer said the partnership with Armidale Central Rotary was another way the group forged connections between the wider community.

 and people living with a disability.

“It means they aren’t so isolated from the community out here,” she said.