The move from study to work can be both exciting and stressful. The following services are available to support job seekers as they complete school, vocational and technical education or higher education and move into full time or part time employment.
Disability Coordination Officers and Regional Disability Liaison Officers Programmes
The Disability Coordination Officers and Regional Disability Liaison Officers Programmes and can help job seekers succeed in their chosen studies and move into suitable employment.
The programmes assist with transitional arrangements between school, vocational and technical education, higher education and employment.
Job seekers with disability who are interested in or enrolled in post school education and training, can be provided with free information, coordination and referral services by the Regional Disability Liaison Officers and Disability Coordination Officers.
Disability Coordination Officers and Regional Disability Liaison Officers work together in major cities and regional centres across Australia. They are mainly based in TAFEs, universities or community based organisations, including disability organisations.
They can assist job seekers by:
- providing information about post school options, supports and services
- helping with transitional arrangement, including referring people with disability to education and training providers, support services and other appropriate agencies such as Centrelink and disability employment agencies
- improving coordination of services across a region (by providing a database of publicly available equipment and technology, and a register of learning support personnel available to education providers and students).
More information about the Disability Coordination Officers and Regional Disability Liaison Officers is available from their web site (see our Related Links).
National Disability Coordination Officer Programme
The Australian Government announced in the 2007-08 Budget a new National Disability Coordination Officer Programme to commence on 1 January 2008 following an open tender process, and the continuation of the current Disability Coordination Officer and Regional Disability Liaison Officer programmes while the new arrangements are put in place.
The new National Disability Coordination Officer Programme will combine and strengthen the existing Disability Coordination Officer and Regional Disability Liaison Officer programmes. Further information regarding the National Disability Coordination Officer Programme is available on their web site (see Related Links) and enquiries may be directed to the Australian Government Skills for the Future Hotline on 133 873.
Youth Pathways Programme
Youth Pathways is a programme that assists young people who are most at risk of leaving school before they complete year 12 or of not making a successful transition to further education, training or employment.
Job seekers eligible for Youth Pathways will receive:
- personal one on one assistance to help identify their strengths, goals and the barriers getting in their way
- individualised assistance and guidance to help them overcome barriers
- support to achieve their goals
- other services to better equip them to make a successful transition through school and onto further education, training or employment.
Job seekers will need to contact their local Youth Pathways provider to find out if they can participate in Youth Pathways. They can call the Youth Pathways hotline on 1800 635 035 or visit the Search Transitions Services Directory(Youth Pathways web site) (see our Related Links).