Student outcome surveys consistently show that TAFE graduates with disability are significantly less likely to gain employment, or gain employment in their field of study, than other graduates. Almost two-thirds of job-seeking graduates with disability remained unemployed six months after graduating, more than twice the unemployment rate of other TAFE graduates. Those graduates with disability who were employed were more likely to be working part-time or be self-employed. More than half of the employed graduates reported that they had been unsuccessful in being able to pursue their career aspirations. Graduates with more visible disability experienced greater difficulty in finding work. Graduates with disability who were working were not earning significantly higher incomes than workers with disability without post-secondary qualifications.

A Building Diversity grant from the Western Australian Department of Education and Training led EDGE to identify negative employer attitudes, lack of work experience immediately prior to graduation, poor job hunting skills and strategies, and lack of knowledge about workplace modifications and assistive equipment as the most commonly reported barriers to employment for graduates with disability.

The findings from the Building Diversity project were used as the research base for a follow-up project undertaken by EDGE that led to the development of the careertips.net.au web-site, which was designed specifically as an information guide, resource kit and referral source for people with disability who are in their final years of school, who are about to commence or are undertaking vocational education and training (VET) studies or university, or have recently graduated. Careertips.net.au also has separate areas specifically designed for career advisors, lecturers, disability services officers, mentors, disability employment agencies and prospective employers.

EDGE received a further Building Diversity grant to develop a Student Mentoring Program for TAFE students with disability. By the conclusion of the project, more than 100 students with disability from a number of TAFE campuses had been supported through the program. This included 50 students who were linked with industry-based mentors with which they met over eight structured 1-2 hour sessions.

EDGE also established the first apprenticeship and traineeship program for people with disability in Western Australia. EDGE has since assisted more than 400 people with all types of disability undertake traineeships and apprenticeships.

EDGE was also funded by the State and Federal Governments to establish 30 similar programs throughout Australia.

EDGE has established formal partnerships with three Group Training Organisations in Perth (Hospitality Group Training, Apprenticeships Australia and WA Group Training Scheme), which employ more than 1,000 apprentices and trainees and then place them with employers in general industry. The partnerships are mutually beneficial because Group Training Organisations can open doors to prospective employers and EDGE can provide on-the-job and off-the-job support to apprentices with disability employed by Group Training Organisations.

EDGE is also able to secure funding through disability apprenticeship subsidy programs that offer generous wage subsidies for employers and funding for workplace modifications, aids and equipment, extra tutoring, interpreter or note-taker support, and mentor support. EDGE currently supporting more than 50 people with various disability in a wide range of apprenticeships and traineeships.

Any TAFE College that wishes to explore working more closely with EDGE to develop joint programs for students with disability can register their interest below or telephone EDGE’s Executive Director, Dr Greg Lewis, on 9286 6600.

Graduate destination surveys reveal that university graduates with disability are much less likely to gain employment, or gain employment in their field of study, than other graduates. Almost two-thirds of job-seeking graduates with disability remained unemployed six months after graduating, more than twice the unemployment rate of other graduates. Those graduates with disability who were employed were more likely to be working part-time or be self-employed. More than half of the employed graduates reported that they had been unsuccessful in being able to pursue their career aspirations.

Graduates with more visible disability experienced greater difficulty in finding work. Negative employer attitudes, lack of work experience immediately prior to graduation, poor job hunting skills and strategies and lack of knowledge about workplace modifications and assistive equipment are the most commonly reported barriers to employment.

EDGE offers a specially designed career planning, job placement and job support program for university graduates with disability called "Professional EDGE". The services that Professional EDGE can provide include career planning and advice, matching students with industry mentors, job search assistance, resume and application review, workplace modifications, assistive equipment and post-placement training and support.

Professional EDGE is managed by EDGE’s Corporate Marketing team, which keeps in regular contact with more than 200 major employers (public and private sector) who use EDGE’s services – and who are most likely to have the professional positions that graduates are seeking.

Any University that wishes to explore working more closely with EDGE to develop joint programs for students with disability can register their interest below or telephone the Manager, Corporate Marketing on 9286 6600.

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