Apprentice’s appy days ahead

A Geelong app helping a deaf teen work as a diesel mechanic has won a national award.
Nineteen-year-old Chris Linahan communicated only through AUSLAN sign language when job services agency MatchWorks began trying to fit him into his dream career working on diesel engines.
The agency placed Chris with FUSO Geelong, where boss Richard Furnari trained staff in AUSLAN and modified the dealership to accommodate him.
But Chris’s career breakthrough emerged when Mr Furnari launched eCheck, an app helping Chris communicate with clients as well as drive and test trucks.
He now has an apprenticeship at the Geelong dealership.
“We developed the software ourselves and we’re rolling it out to fleet companies, other local workshops and also to the Victorian Government to service their front-line fire-response units, including all fire trucks,” Mr Furnari said.
“From humble beginnings, this app has the potential to assist businesses across the globe employ more deaf people.”
The app featured in the Indy’s We Are Geelong promotion last week before helping FUSO and MatchWork win an inaugural National Employment Services Association Innovation in Disability Team Award on Monday night.
“This award is a great tribute to FUSO Geelong and MatchWorks and shows how employers can totally change people’s lives and improve opportunities for people with a disability when they invest the time to create truly inclusive workplaces,” association chief Sally Sinclair said.
“The employment and related services industry in Australia is all about helping people into sustained employment, and these awards truly acknowledge the direct and lasting impact that employment service-providers like MatchWorks have on people’s lives.”