As part of this year's RGF Connect Global Week of Impact, we're proud to celebrate Elizabeth, Kaiden, Hope and Josh, who have joined our housekeeping team in Room Attendant and Houseperson roles. 

The initiative was designed to create employment pathways for people with disability and neurodiverse individuals, providing tailored support, practical training and a welcoming environment where every team member can thrive. 

For Ben Kazakoff, General Manager People & Culture at ahs hospitality, the program reflects a broader commitment to creating opportunities and driving meaningful change through employment. 

"As a business, we have a responsibility to break down barriers to employment and create meaningful pathways for diverse talent," said Ben. "By working closely with our partners, we're creating inclusive opportunities that deliver real outcomes — not only for individuals, but also for our teams, our clients and the hospitality industry as a whole." 

For Jodie Nosow, Operations Manager WA at ahs hospitality and the team at The Westin Perth, the program is about creating opportunities that extend far beyond the workplace. 

"We wanted to create opportunities for individuals to build confidence, develop new skills and gain valuable workplace experience within a supportive environment. Seeing their growth over such a short period has been incredibly rewarding." 

From day one, participants were given the chance to explore the hotel, learn about the roles available and discover what a career in hospitality could offer. Once onboard, each team member received personalised training, hands-on coaching and ongoing support tailored to their strengths and learning style. 

The results have been inspiring. 

Hope arrived at the open day feeling nervous and unsure. Today, she is confidently taking on additional responsibilities and has already expressed a desire to further develop her skills as a Room Attendant. 

Kaiden quickly impressed leaders with his ability to learn new tasks and work independently, while consistently looking for ways to contribute even more to the team. 

Josh has become a ray of sunshine within the department, bringing positivity, humour and enthusiasm to every shift. 

Elizabeth has embraced one of the hotel's most demanding roles with determination and pride, even purchasing bedding like that used in the hotel so she could practise her housekeeping skills at home. 

While each journey is unique, they all demonstrate what can happen when people are given the support, encouragement and opportunity to succeed. 

"Watching the team members become more independent, engage with the wider team and take pride in their work has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey," said Jodie. "Their enthusiasm and dedication have had a wonderful impact on our team." 

The impact has extended beyond the four team members. 

The placements have strengthened workplace culture at The Westin Perth, encouraging greater collaboration, patience, understanding and inclusion across the housekeeping team. Colleagues have embraced the opportunity to support one another, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. 

This initiative would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration of our partners. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to The Westin Perth and HDN WA for their support in creating meaningful employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace where people of all abilities can thrive. 

As we celebrate Global Week of Impact and this year's theme, Building Bridges to Employment, these stories remind us that meaningful employment is about so much more than a job. 

Together, we are demonstrating the positive impact that can be achieved when businesses and hotel partners work hand in hand to create pathways to employment.