| Year |
Decision |
Result |
| 1974 |
SDE was established in 1974 as an
Industrial Work Training Unit for People with
Disabilities. |
It was determined that Southland disABILITY Enterprises
Ltd. would be a commercial business with a
social purpose. All work would be costed out at full
commercial rates, and wage payments were to be made to
staff based on their individual abilities and work
output (productivity). |
| 1975 - 1981 |
SDE existed as a second level option
for those who were unable to enter into the mainstream
work force directly. Those applying to attend were
evaluated, and needed to be judged as 50% work capable
in order to attend. |
Over the first decade, SDE struggled
to find its true niche. It was hampered by fires and
the imported cane ware that came flooding into New
Zealand from Asia. SDE had started with seven
ex-members of the Rehabilitation league and its mainstay
was manufacturing cane baskets and cane furniture. |
| 1982 |
SDE formed close links with the IHC, and a number of
personnel transferred from the IHC Sheltered workshop to
Southland disABILITY Enterprises.
|
SDE was offered to the IHC, for them
to absorb it within their sphere of operations, but it
was decided by JB Munro (then CEO of IHC) that SDE
should remain independent while receiving administrative
and management support instead. |
| 1983 - 1988 |
SDE operated three main
departments: a Sewing Room, a Woodwork Department and a
Cane ware Manufacturing Department. |
| 1989 |
SDE had
completely developed into a Sheltered Workshop, with the
main work being carried out solely in order to assist
with running costs. |
An allowance of $10.00 per fortnight
was paid to all who attended, as compared to the first
few years of SDE, when everyone was paid wages based on
their individual output. |
