Media Release
Tuesday 31 October 2017
Building the skills of VET educators and employers to improve inclusion of people with disability in training and work
An innovative new project that aims to give employers and educators the skills and knowledge they need to improve inclusion of people with disability in work and vocational education and training (VET) has today been launched by Chair of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC).
PwC’s Skills for Australia has been commissioned to investigate how the VET sector and industry can address poorer employment outcomes for people with disability. Students with disability make up only 4.3% of all students undertaking VET, and only around half of working age Australians with disability are in the labour force, compared to 83 per cent of those without disability.
“Although many employers are open to hiring people with disability, the reality is they are often not confident they have the right knowledge, understanding and capability to best support people with disability in their workplace,” said Chair of the AISC, John Pollaers.
“This new project aims to help people with disability get the training outcomes they need to transition to employment and will complement existing employment and inclusion programs.”
As part of the project, PwC’s Skills for Australia will look to develop core units of competency on disability related issues that can be used across a range of industries.
“The key to Australia’s future competitiveness is to ensure we are creating an inclusive, flexible and capable workforce,” Mr Pollaers said.
“Building the skills and knowledge among VET practitioners and Australian employers – as well as building in relevant units across training packages in a variety of industries – will help break down barriers, to improve social and economic participation.”
CEO of PwC’s Skills for Australia, Sara Caplan, said the project was the first time government and industry had come together to explore how development of training packages could increase the participation of people with disability in VET and the workplace.
“It’s a great step forward for people with disability who want to get into the workforce and I congratulate the AISC for leading the way in this important area. We are thrilled to be involved in this initiative that will have such far-reaching benefits for the Australian workforce,” she said.
The AISC has also established a sub-committee to drive other strategies to improve training outcomes for people with disability. The sub-committee will look at how the training system can complement other government and community activities to help people with disability transition to employment.
To find out more or contribute to the inclusion of people with disability in VET project, visit skillsforaustralia.com/cross-sector-projects/inclusion-of-people-with-disability-in-vet/ or email info@skillsforaustralia.com.
About the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC)
The AISC is an industry/government collaboration focused on amplifying the voice of industry and building employer’s confidence in VET qualifications. The AISC advises Commonwealth and State and Territory Industry and Skills Ministers on the implementation of national vocational education and training policies, and approves nationally recognised training packages for implementation in the VET system. The AISC draws on advice from its network of Industry Reference Committees (IRCs), which are made up of people with experience, skills and knowledge of their particular sector. They work across their industry to ensure their advice reflects the needs of employers and the modern economy. IRCs are supported in their work by professional service organisations called Skills Service Organisations (SSOs).
Contact: Claire O’Halloran (02) 6240 8788 / claire.o’halloran@education.gov.au