Opening marks a milestone in a three-year partnership focused on inclusive employment as part of National Accessibility Employment Awareness Month.
More people of all abilities in Durham Region now have a place to start their careers. Abilities Centre and Element Fleet Management today opened the new Employment Hub, a milestone in a three-year partnership to break down barriers to employment and build more inclusive workplaces.
The hub is the latest piece of a partnership that supports job seekers and employers alike. Together, Abilities Centre and Element support:
- The Employment Hub, a dedicated space where job seekers can access employment support, build skills and connect with local employers.
- Christine’s Café Employment Program, which offers hands-on workplace experience in a real café setting.
- The Accessible Employer Award, which recognizes local organizations leading the way in creating accessible and inclusive workplaces during Abilities Centre’s annual Accessibility Awards.
“Meaningful work is about more than a paycheque,” said Michael Cvitkovic, president and CEO of Abilities Centre. “It’s about purpose, connection and the chance to contribute your talents to your community. Element shares our belief that every person deserves that opportunity. This partnership allows us to support job seekers and employers side by side, and the Employment Hub gives that work a home.”
The opening of the hub was part of In Their Words: A Conversation on Disability and Employment, an event marking National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It brought together employers, community partners and job seekers. In a panel discussion, local employers shared how accessibility has shaped their teams and culture, and attendees then took part in a hands-on workshop on practical steps toward more inclusive hiring.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to contribute their talents, build skills, and do meaningful work,” said Candace Allixendir, senior vice president, global brand and experience at Element Fleet Management. “Our partnership with Abilities Centre is helping turn that belief into action. From hands-on experience through Christine’s Café Employment Program to the new Employment Hub, we’re proud to be part of this work and to help build more inclusive workplaces where people can contribute and thrive.”
Businesses and organizations looking to build more inclusive teams can connect with Abilities Centre’s Employment Services team to find talent, explore accommodations and access support throughout the hiring process. Learn more at abilitiescentre.org/programs/employment-services or call 905-665-5800.
About Abilities Centre
Abilities Centre is a state-of-the-art facility in Whitby, Ontario, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people of all ages and abilities. Through innovative programs in health and fitness, arts and culture, sport and recreation, and life skills development, the Centre fosters inclusivity and empowers individuals to achieve their full potential. The mission is to reimagine accessibility and redefine the way Canadians live, work, and play. For more information about Abilities Centre and its programs, please visit abilitiescentre.org.
About Element Fleet Management
Element Fleet Management (TSX: EFN) is a global leader in intelligent fleet and mobility solutions. Guided by our Purpose to Move the world through intelligent mobility, we help clients manage the vehicles, data, technology, and decisions that keep their businesses moving. Fleet is our foundation, and intelligent mobility is how we lead. By combining deep fleet expertise with connected technologies, data driven intelligence, and strategic partnerships, Element helps clients lower total cost of ownership, improve uptime and driver experience, and build more resilient operations. Element manages over 1.5 million vehicles globally and leverages this scale and data to help clients optimize performance, identifying over $1.7 billion in cost savings opportunities across our clients’ fleets in the past year. Through Element Mobility, we are advancing our leadership into the next era of intelligent mobility to deliver measurable business outcomes for our clients. For more information, visit: www.elementfleet.com.
Media Contacts
Abilities Centre
Matisse Hamel-Nelis
Senior Manager, Marketing, Communications, and Board Administration
Email: mhamel-nelis@abilitiescentre.org
Phone: 905-665-8500 ext. 222
Element Fleet Management
Amanda Mills Sirois
Director, Corporate Affairs & Brand
Email: amillssirois@elementcorp.com
Phone: 437-352-1050