Winner Services Award - WorkHab

http://www.export.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/v3/guis/templates/content/gui_cue_cntnhtml.cfm?id=58157

Based in Bundaberg, WorkHab offers an innovative system of assessing disability and physical strength as well as the management of workers' physical abilities on-the-job. WorkHab has application to rehabilitation assessments and pre-employment screening, and shows an emerging potential for managing physical and cognitive abilities in an older workforce. WorkHab programs train health professionals to improve their skill level. With developed markets in the United States and New Zealand, WorkHab has recently commenced exporting to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe.

WorkHab Winner of the 2007 Premier of Queensland’s Export Award

Exporting is important to the Queensland and overall Australian economy. The objectives of the Premier of Queensland Export Awards and the Australian Export Awards are:

·         to showcase Australia's top exporters

·         to promote them as role models

·         to encourage other Australian businesses to strive for success in world markets.

The Premier of Queensland's Export Awards is the only way Queensland companies can enter the Australian Export Awards. The linkage between the awards programs is an example of the strong co-operation that exists between the Queensland Government, the business community and the federal government to encourage the growth of Australia's exports.

Over the past few years a number of Queensland companies have been recognised as national leaders in their export field.

From Bundy to the world 18.10.2007 By Nikita Lee

http://www.news-mail.com.au/storyprint.cfm?storyID=3752372

THE tiny two-man business began in a modest Bundaberg office, but a recent export award has catapulted WorkHab managing director David Roberts into the international business realm.

The business, which trains people to provide workplace injury assessment, grew from a joke with business partner Sam Bradbury, but soon turned into a successful enterprise. "I met Sam and we discussed how we didn’t like the assessments being used, and we jokingly said 'How about we design an assessment ourselves?'" Mr. Roberts said. But the dare to create assessments based on workplace injuries and the problems posed directly after an incident soon turned into reality.

The former physiotherapist of 30 years recently received a Premier of Queensland's Export Services Award for training up to 1300 people throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United States. "We started this all in 1995 and we still only have two offices, here and in the States, and Sam has been in Santa Fe for most of the time," Mr. Roberts said. The long-distance partnership has worked with their respective locations allowing the pair to keep up to date on latest trends.

"Having Sam over there researching ensures the ideas are always coming through, and we're always able to stay that little bit ahead," Mr. Roberts said. While making the most of a small budget, the business has started planning for training facilities in London, across Europe, South Africa and Canada.

Administration officer Teena Bates has only been with WorkHab since July this year, but has already seen the demand for assessment training heighten. "We're in the middle of data-basing all the people we have trained, and it s certainly starting to expand and move forward," Ms Bates said.

Mr. Roberts is currently in United Kingdom working on future endeavours through WorkHab.