The right expertise can achieve better outcomes. That’s why, at tax time, you may see an accountant to gain a better tax return. And if you’re selling your house, you’ll probably think about engaging a real estate agent to help you fetch a higher price.
So when you’re looking for work, why wouldn’t you get an expert involved?
A good Disability Employment Service (DES) provider will understand how to get a higher return from a competitive job market. They support people with disability to prepare for employment, find a job and work towards succeeding in their chosen path.
The most recent National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) quarterly report to disability ministers reported an upswing in the number of NDIS participants, their families and carers gaining paid employment.
Twenty-two per cent of participants aged 15 to 24 years were reportedly involved in work – a figure that more than doubled from the prior quarter – and for the broader age group of 15 to 64 years, the percentage of participants in work grew from 19 to 21 per cent.
These outcomes are heartening – especially against the backdrop of 2022 research conducted by disability employment organisation, Jigsaw, which found that approximately half of Australian managers and HR professionals had never hired or knowingly worked with a person with disability.
Almost half of those surveyed said their organisations had diversity and inclusion policies in place, but 91 per cent of those who’d hired a person with disability through a DES provider had experienced challenges with recruitment and retention.
It’s evident there’s still work to be done to make the job market accessible to all – and that’s why sharing experience and expertise in the field of disability employment is vital.
We spoke with Michelle Peach, Senior Leader – Performance and Projects at DES provider, Community Solutions Group, and Terry, a client of Michelle’s business. They shared their learnings – and a few key tips for securing the job you’re after.
Here’s what Michelle told us.
A. DES is for community members who have a verified disability, mental health condition, treated illness or injury, and who are looking for employment.
Many of our clients are long term unemployed and they find the level of ongoing support provided under DES to be crucial – not just with finding a new job that suits their abilities and needs, but also in keeping that job in the long term.
A. People are often amazed by the amount of support they can receive under DES. At Community Solutions, we will put a plan together to help you find employment by building your confidence, helping you apply for jobs and prepare for interviews, and helping you understand the local labour market.
We’ll help you get training, certificates, background checks, NDIS worker cards, uniforms or the personal protective equipment needed to do your new job. We’ll also help you connect with potential employers, and we will stay by your side for your first 12 months of employment, to ensure you are able to maintain your new role.
A. You should look for a provider that truly listens to you.
A good provider will take the time to understand your disability and unique needs, and will chat to you about your interests, skills, and experiences to find out how best to support you to get into work.
A. From your initial appointment, your DES provider will develop an action plan with you to map out your journey to finding employment.
At Community Solutions, we understand everybody is different, and the employment pathway isn’t the same for everyone. We’ll help you get the skills and training that will equip you to do your chosen job and we’ll make sure your employer understands how they can support you in the role too.
Then, we’ll provide at least 12 months of ongoing support to help work out any issues that arise during your employment. This can be by helping with further training or helping work out any communication issues between the employer and employee, so that issues can be addressed early.
A. No funding is required in your NDIS plan for DES. In fact, DES operates under a different government program.
If you have a verified disability, mental health condition, treated illness or injury, and are looking for employment, then you could qualify for DES, regardless of whether or not you’re also an NDIS participant.
A. We recognise that for some people, particularly those who are neurodiverse, forming good working relationships is not only one of the most important parts of holding down a job, but can also be the most challenging.
We will work in partnership with you and tailor our assistance to meet your individual needs. If you need to work on forming working relationships, we’ll develop a plan to support you with that.
Above all, the most important thing is communication. If you’re having trouble communicating with your employer – or if your employer is not communicating well with you – let your DES provider know sooner rather than later. We can step in and ensure issues are resolved early.
A. We recognise that it can be very disheartening to be repeatedly rejected while applying for jobs. Building confidence and self esteem after a knock-back is something that Community Solutions works closely with our clients on.
Our goal is to help people who face barriers to employment break down those barriers and get into sustainable employment.
But don’t just take Michelle’s word for it. Terry is a Community Solutions client in Rockhampton in Central Queensland. He’s generously shared his DES experience.
Here’s what Terry told us.
A. My job is driving and delivering parcels for a company called PacPlus, based in Rockhampton. I really enjoy my job – it gives me freedom and security. My workmates are awesome and it’s great to be part of a team.
A. I was keen to get back into work, but I had a few obstacles which made it difficult to get started. I went into Community Solutions in Rockhampton and spoke to Sonja, a recruitment partner for DES. We got on straight away and she really listened.
A. When I went to see Community Solutions, I didn’t know what to expect. I was determined to find work though, and knew I needed some advice and support.
Having the backing of Sonja and the Rockhampton team made it so easy.
So there you have it! Whether you’re about to embark on a hunt for your first job, or you’re feeling the need for a change in direction, a DES provider could be the expert on your team to set you up for success.
