Passion and purpose led Jason Diederich halfway around the world
Jason Diederich began his APM career in 2002 as an Occupational Therapist with APM WorkCare and since then has worked in a variety of roles across APM.
His most recent move was across hemispheres, moving from Australia to the UK to take on a new opportunity as Clinical Operations Director - Functional Assessment Services (FAS) for Ingeus. Ingeus is part of the APM Group in the UK, Europe and Asia, and delivers services across employment, health, justice and youth programs.
Before taking on this new challenge, Jason was General Manager for APM Communities in Australia, and he sees this as being one of his most rewarding roles to date - being a part of a team that seeks to empower people living with a disability to lead a more fulfilling life, with support from the NDIS and APM’s plan coordinators. Below, Jason is pictured with Paralympian and APM Ambassador, Ellie Cole, launching APM Communities' accessible beach initiative at Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club.
Seeking out a new world of opportunity
“I really enjoyed my role with APM Communities, but as someone who’s always looking for new challenges, the chance to be involved with a brand-new contract and service was too good to knock back.”
FAS is a new initiative by the UK Government that brings together existing assessment services, for disabled people and people with health conditions, under a single provider in each geographical region. This will make accessing support simpler and easier for some of society's most vulnerable people. Ingeus is one of four providers contracted to deliver the new service.
“I managed a similar contract in Australia and know the benefits it brings the disability sector, and I was really keen to be involved again. I enjoy the challenge of a new contract and leading teams to deliver them successfully, and I also have a disability myself – so everything seemed to align well for me!”
Supportive leaders embrace change
“The support from my leaders in Australia was terrific – they knew what a great opportunity this was!
Once I arrived in the UK, the team have been very patient as I get my head around the enormous amount of work they’ve already done, and the various complexities in the contract rollout.
They’ve also been kind enough to give me a lot of practical and emotional support as the move and its logistics were huge!”
Developing and leveraging new skills
Seeking a change in your career can unlock the opportunity to develop and leverage new skills across many aspects of life and can really help to re-focus on what you value the most.
“Getting to understand the scale of what we’re going to be delivering in the UK makes me feel part of something meaningful and I feel its impact. I’m also very excited about the social value commitments we have made around diversity and inclusion.
“The one thing I found challenging is learning new terminology and approaches, but I’m getting better at it. Having said that, bringing in my Australian experience has been helpful in a number of decisions we’ve made about our approach and direction as a team.”
Keep your ear out – opportunities abound!
APM is a growing and dynamic global business. If you’re someone who’s keen on new challenges, be it overseas or around the corner, Jason’s advice is to “throw your hat in the ring and work out the logistics later. If something interests you and your skills and passion match, then go for it.
I know that I now sit at my desk and see the red double decker busses going past and I have to pinch myself – Wow, I am really in London! You never know where a career at APM could lead!”
Joining a global organisation can offer you the chance to thrive, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact on a diverse range of projects to enable better lives. Explore openings across the APM Group here.
