TAFE giving disabled workers a Fair Go

PEOPLE with disabilities can now graduate from TAFE through a program specifically designed to increase their skills in the workplace.

Employee Work Skills Program at Minchinbury. They train people with a disability to enter the workplace and be productive members of society. Kaye Benson.

PEOPLE with disabilities can now graduate from TAFE through a program specifically designed to increase their skills in the workplace.

The Supported Employee Work Skills Program was developed by the Australian Foundation for Disability (AFFORD) and is believed to be the first course of its kind in Australia.

“We are constantly trying to improve the lives of people with disabilities,” AFFORD executive director Cliff Haynes said.

“The program also gives them a whole lot of self confidence when they see what they are able to achieve. It’s a really practical example of how people with disabilities can be productive members of society given the chance.”

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The award-winning program takes six months to complete and includes three modules: basic communication skills, processing and maintaining workplace information and participation in clerical processes.

Employee Work Skills Program workers are learning new skills to help them in the workforce. (Pictured back, from left: Grant Smith, Ray Santosa, Kaye Benson and Matthew Smith. Front, from left: Donna Denham, Guy Laurenceson, Kylie Brown and Lourdes Tabone). Picture: Adam Ward

The pilot course was run in February last year and 10 participants graduated. But further funds are needed if AFFORD are to continue offering the program, Mr Haynes said.

“The $10,000 will allow us to get more participants through the program and enable us to access more training and support services,” he said.

“It’s quite amazing what people can do if they’re given the opportunity and we want to ensure we can continue to do that.”