As he prepares to step away from Civik People, outgoing General Manager Shannon Price reflects on his six-year journey leading the social enterprise, from its early days as Hotel Housekeeping to the organisation it is today.
My first experience working with refugees goes back more than a decade, before I joined Civik People. I was working in a labour hire management role in the meat industry when I met four young Tamil men from Sri Lanka. They had recently been granted full work rights and were keen to secure employment. They applied for roles with us, but their English skills were still developing, and their applications were initially rejected by the hiring manager due to language concerns.
I still remember the conversations we had about giving them a go. In the end, two of them were hired. Both became outstanding employees, and within 18 months, one of them had been promoted to Production Line Leader. That experience stuck with me. It showed what is possible when people are given a chance.
Since then, I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of brave and talented new Australians, particularly over the past six years with Civik People (previously Hotel Housekeeping). While it has certainly had its ups and downs, especially during the uncertainty of COVID, this has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. I have worked alongside an incredible team and witnessed the power of employment to change lives.
A real highlight in recent years has been the team that has come together at Civik People, including Asma Osyan, Sherry Esfandiari and Ellie Campbell. They are all talented and compassionate people who work hard to improve the lives of others.
Even before we became Civik People, our time as Hotel Housekeeping was shaped by an operations team who were genuinely committed to supporting others. Leading a high-pressure housekeeping operation is no small task, yet these leaders found ways to meet busy operational demands, while doing all they could to support the growth, development, and wellbeing of our newly arrived team members.
One of the most important lessons I have learned is the value of working one-on-one with new Australians who are looking for their first job or to restart and progress their career. To provide meaningful support, you need a deep understanding of every person you work with, including their background, strengths, challenges, aspirations and what really makes them tick. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is about taking the time to walk alongside people and helping them navigate a path forward.
Launching and growing a sustainable social enterprise during COVID came with its own set of difficulties. But there was a silver lining. Many of our job seekers secured roles in industries typically filled by international students who had returned home. It was a unique window of opportunity that helped many get their start.
As the job market stabilised, one thing became clear. Strong employer partnerships are essential, especially when it comes to cultural awareness and inclusive hiring practices. This continues to be a central focus of Civik People’s approach, and we have been fortunate to collaborate closely with some great employers.
I’m especially grateful for those employers who’ve been open to doing things differently. Their willingness to adjust has often paid off, not only in recruitment success, but in seeing their new employees thrive and positively shape team culture and performance.
I genuinely believe if you can coach and prepare job seekers individually (and well) and connect them with inclusive, forward-thinking employers, remarkable things can happen. I have seen it time and again.
It has been truly amazing, and has meant a lot to me, to see firsthand how much a good job in a good business means to people, and the strong sense of belonging and purpose it can bring.
And the ripple effects are real, from improved family life and stronger community connections to a deeper sense of inclusion in Australian society.
While I’ll soon be stepping away, I’m truly excited for the future of Civik People. The team is in excellent hands with incoming GM Jaison Hoernel, who has already hit the ground running. I can’t wait to see what they achieve next.
Pictured above: Shannon Price (left) with the Civik People team – Ellie Campbell, Asma Osyan, Sherry Esfandiari and Jaison Hoernel.
